Writers are ambassadors of heritage and custodians of narrat
Writers are ambassadors of heritage and custodians of narratives—Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio
The three-day event, organised in partnership with Penguin and The White Owl, is emerging as one of the premier literary festivals in the Northeast of India, bringing together reputed authors, writers, and artists from across India, along with renowned storytellers from the Northeast to ‘inspire, imagine, and inscribe’ the future
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio speaks during the inaugural
session of the 2nd edition of The White Owl Literature Festival and Book Fair
on Monday at Zone Niathu by the Park in Chümoukedima.
DIMAPUR — Chief
Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday said that authors are not just writers but are
ambassadors of heritage and custodians of narratives that have been passed down
through generations.
“Each of them carries the weight of their linkage, the
voices of their ancestors, and the stories of their people,” he said while
inaugurating the 2nd edition of The White Owl Literature Festival and Book Fair
on Monday at Zone Niathu by the Park in Chümoukedima.
The three-day event, organised in partnership with Penguin
and The White Owl, is emerging as one of the premier literary festivals in the
Northeast of India, bringing together reputed authors, writers, and artists
from across India, along with renowned storytellers from the Northeast to
‘inspire, imagine, and inscribe’ the future.
“With every word you write, you weave together the past and the
future, ensuring that the culture and identity of your communities remain alive
and flourishing. I am especially heartened by the inclusivity and diversity
that this festival embraces.
“From the vibrant hills of the Northeast and the heartland
of India, from the eastern shores to the western deserts, the festival brings
together voices from every corner of our country,” Rio said.
Also, he said that such a confluence of ideas strengthens
the bonds of unity and fosters understanding among the people, and “Nagaland,
known as the land of festivals, is proud to host a festival that celebrates not
just our culture, but also literature.”
According to the chief minister, festivals such as these
serve a higher purpose beyond celebration. “They expand our minds, giving us
the ability to view the world through different perspectives, to enrich our
hearts, fostering empathy and a great capacity to love, and they challenge us
to push ourselves beyond our limitations, setting new standards of excellence
in both expression and creativity. “
He urged the gathering to remember that literature has the
power to shift societies, bridge divides, and bring about change “while it is
our responsibility to honour this power, to use it wisely, and to continue
inspiring generations to come.”
“Our Naga society is a young society, and literacy and
education came to us just one and a half centuries ago. A humble beginning of
setting up a library and being blessed and supported by the Penguins Library,
giving the responsibilities to this library, is really a blessing and a very
good beginning for the citizens of Nagaland and particularly our young and
students who love to learn,” he said.
Festival director and proprietor of The White Owl, Viketuno
Rio, acknowledged the ‘incredible response’ to the first edition—which, she
said, had reaffirmed the profound ability of literature to unite, inspire, and
transform.
“This year we return with renewed passion, ready to explore,
learn, and express creativity on an even deeper level,” she said.
“We revisited the vision of The White Owl that sought to
reignite the enthusiasm for the timeless act of reading and listening,
inspiring our community. We came to the conclusion that a meaningful literature
festival, especially in Nagaland, must begin by asking why do we read, why do
we listen, and ultimately why do we write,” she shared.
With these questions in mind, the director said they had
chosen and refined the theme: Inspire, Imagine, Inscribe. “The theme invites
festival participants to listen attentively, to read quietly, and to write with
purpose,” she said, adding that the festival is a movement towards deeper
literary engagement.
Viketuno
Rio speaks during the inaugural session of the 2nd edition of The White Owl
Literature Festival and Book Fair on Monday at Zone Niathu by the Park in
Chümoukedima.
Zero-waste with Green Guard
Also, the festival director informed that they have
introduced a zero-waste initiative at the festival this year to ensure that
sustainability remains at the core of their efforts.
“With the support of Green Guard, a leading waste management
company in Nagaland, we are dedicated to preserving our environment and
fostering a sustainable future,” she affirmed.
She recollected that on February 8, they had organised a
charity run where over 200 participants had come together to support children
with disabilities.
To further their commitment towards inclusivity, she
informed that they are organising a charity concert on February 17 and 18 to
raise awareness and encourage a more accepting society for families and
children with disabilities. This initiative, she said, embodies their belief
that literature and storytelling extend beyond the written word to create
meaningful change in the community.
A special session for children will run parallel to the main
event. According to her, the children’s session will cover themes like mental
health and emotional self-awareness, exploring inclusivity through stories, and
culture and folklore.
Viketuno
Rio speaks during the inaugural session of the 2nd edition of The White Owl
Literature Festival and Book Fair on Monday at Zone Niathu by the Park in
Chümoukedima.