25th Hornbill Festival kickstarts in Nagaland
The vibrant 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival began on December 1 at the scenic Naga Heritage Village in Kisama. This spectacular 10-day-long festival attracts thousands of domestic and international visitors eager to experience Nagaland’s rich cultural diversity.
This year, the event is even more noteworthy as it coincided with the 62nd Nagaland Statehood Day celebrations. The celebration, which takes its name from the famous and highly regarded hornbill bird, honours its majesty and symbolic significance to the Naga people.
The opening ceremony was a dazzling affair, blending traditional Naga cultural performances with modern music. Nagaland Governor La Ganesan and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio inaugurated the festival by striking the traditional Naga gong, followed by blessings from Medoo Keretsu, Kohima’s 85-year-old village chief.
A musical event by celebrated composer AR Rahman was one of the highlights of the day, who captivated the audience with his soulful music. Envoys from various countries and delegates from partner states Sikkim and Telangana also graced the occasion.
