Hornbill Festival to showcase Nagaland on global stage: Along

November 30, 2024 2 Views No Comment

The 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival, one of Nagaland’s most iconic cultural events, is set to commence with grand festivities aiming to showcase the state’s rich cultural heritage on the global stage.

Scheduled from December 1 to 10 at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, this year’s festival aims to be “unparalleled” in showcasing the unique traditions and aspirations of the Naga people.

Tourism and Higher Education minister Temjen Imna Along emphasized the festival’s global significance, noting its evolution from a local event into an international platform that celebrates Naga culture and traditions.

Describing the Hornbill Festival as a “focal point” for the people of Nagaland, Along highlighted its role in showcasing the state’s unique identity and aspirations to a worldwide audience.

This year’s festival will host dignitaries and representatives from nations including the United Kingdom (Wales), the United States, Japan, and Peru, along with participation from Indian states like Sikkim and Telangana as partners.

“This is not just a festival. It is a focal point for our people,” he said, adding, “Nagas of Nagaland stand for a culture that is unique and distinct, and the Hornbill Festival embodies that spirit.”

Host of foreign dignitaries and corporate leaders including Central leaders/officials are also expected to attend, offering opportunities for partnerships and collaborations in arts, culture, and tourism.

The festival will also boast several eco-friendly measures, including a ban on single-use plastics and distribution of eco-friendly carry bags. Along disclosed that the festival’s budget was approximately Rs 100 crore, while the budget for Tourism department was pegged at Rs 6.5 crore.

He highlighted the economic significance of the event, which was expected to generate a direct economic input of around Rs 200 crore.

He cited studies to claim that the festival created 8,500 permanent and semi-permanent jobs, adding that structures for the event were pre-fabricated, ensuring both safety and efficiency.

The official inauguration of the festival will take place at 4 pm on December 1, with ambassadors from partner countries as honoured guests. World-renowned musician Dr AR Rahman will lead the entertainment segment, lending a star-studded appeal to the festivities.

Urging the people of Nagaland to actively participate in the festival, Along emphasised that the festival belonged to all of them. He appealed all citizens to come together and make the event a grand success.

The festival will also feature a devotional service on December 8 led by the church, offering a moment of unity and worship for the Naga community. He asserted that the Hornbill Festival was a testament to the achievement of the entire Naga society, adding that it was time to show the world the best.

Underscoring the festival’s growing international visibility, adviser to chief minister Abu Metha pointed out that “superpowers” were coming forward to partner Nagaland. He said their participation spanned across multiple verticals, including literature, arts, tourism, and corporate social responsibility (CSR.

Chief host for the festival will be Nagaland governor La Ganesan, host will be chief minister Neiphiu Rio, festival host will be Temjen Imna Along, and tribal guest will be Kohima village head GB Medo-o Keretsü.

Source: https://nagalandpost.com/index.php/2024/11/30/hornbill-festival-to-showcase-nagaland-on-global-stage-along/