The inaugural program of the 3rd edition of the Autumn Festival, a prelude to the 25th Hornbill Festival, was launched at Nagaland House, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road, New Delhi, on 18 October 2024. Temjen Imna Along, Minister of Tourism and Higher Education, Government of Nagaland, was the chief host of the event. Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Social Justice and Empowerment, BL Verma, graced the inaugural function along with Mugdha Sinha, IAS, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, as the chief guest, and Javier Manuel Paulinich Velarde, Ambassador of Peru in India, as the honored guest.
Temjen Imna Along, Minister of Tourism and Higher Education, while addressing the gathering, stated that the Autumn Festival is a countdown to the Hornbill Festival and called on the 17 Naga tribes to unite and prepare for the upcoming festival. He invited those present to be a part of the 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival, which will be celebrated from 1st to 10th December 2024 at Kisama. He emphasized that it is not just a festival but much more than that, where bonds are made, and the trust, faith, and affection of the Nagas are earned. He thanked the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and Country Partner, Peru, for partnering with the state during the Hornbill Festival.
Mugdha Sinha, Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, congratulating the government and the people of the state, stated that the success of the festival stands as an exemplar. She commended the persistence and continuity of the Nagas in reaching the 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival, highlighting that it now features international bands and different countries wanting to partner with the state in celebrating the festival. She also lauded the state for promoting sustainability through the festival by nurturing the coming together of nature and culture, which, she added, is something to be admired and learned from by other states. She thanked the state government and the community for educating and sharing their cuisines, music, and textiles with people from outside the state.
Dr G Hukugha Sema, IRS, Commissioner & Secretary of Tourism, Government of Nagaland, delivered the welcome address. Guests were treated to a cultural extravaganza that included a song performance by the Ao Naga Choir, a cultural song by Ao students, a fashion show featuring traditional Naga wear by Kitem, and a traditional Naga wrestling match. The DGP Band also performed at the program. The Autumn Festival will continue until 20th October 2024.
The event is being organized by the Tourism Department, Government of Nagaland, in collaboration with the Office of the Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House, New Delhi.
Delhi netizens get a taste of the Hornbill Festival
The second day of the Autumn Festival witnessed a large crowd turnout to celebrate the event, which serves as a prelude to the 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival 2024. The festival is being held at Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Road, Nagaland House, New Delhi, and began on 18th October 2024.
Advisor to the Chief Minister & Chairman of IDAN, Abu Metha, speaking as the chief guest, stated that the Autumn Festival is a curtain-raiser for the Hornbill Festival. It aims to reach out to different sections of people in the national capital and other parts of the country, encouraging them to visit the Hornbill Festival. He highlighted the history of the Hornbill Festival, noting that it is not just the State’s flagship event but has become one of India’s biggest and best-known festivals worldwide. He also mentioned that this year, one of the Country Partners will be Wales, United Kingdom.
The three-day festival, which began on 18th October, will run until 20th October. It is organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Nagaland, in collaboration with the Resident Commissioner’s Office, Nagaland House, New Delhi, with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. The programme will begin at 4:00 PM on 20th October 2024 and is open to the public.
Festival goers can enjoy Naga cuisine, traditional brewed sticky rice beer (zutho), music, and shopping from a wide collection of Naga jewelry, textiles, and handicrafts. A group of local artisans from Noklak are also present to demonstrate the weaving of bamboo baskets and wooden handicrafts.
Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House, New Delhi, Wennyei Konyak, delivered the welcome address. Ao Naga Choir and Delhi Eastern Naga Students’ Union performed songs at the event. A fashion show featuring Naga indigenous modern wear by Kintem was also presented.