The second edition of the Cherry Blossom Festival, scheduled to be held from 27 to 29 November, was officially inaugurated with great enthusiasm. The event, hosted in Longkhum Village, garnered significant attention as a celebration of both nature and the community’s potential. This year’s theme, “In Unison with Nature,” highlighted the harmonious relationship between the environment and the people of Longkhum, making the festival a platform to showcase the village’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
The inaugural ceremony featured notable speakers, including the guest of honor, Thsuvisie Phoji, Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung. In his speech, he expressed his pleasure in attending the second edition of the Cherry Blossom Festival, commending the event for its promising start. “Though the Cherry Blossom Festival is still in its early stages, it has gotten off to a very good beginning,” he stated. He added that he sees a bright future for the festival and expects it to grow significantly in the coming years.
Phoji also addressed the challenge of tourism in Nagaland, noting that while the influx of visitors is highest during the Hornbill Festival, there is a lack of consistent tourism throughout the year due to the state’s underdeveloped infrastructure. Despite these challenges, he praised Longkhum Village for its initiative in organizing the Cherry Blossom Festival independently, without government support. “Most big festivals have a modest start,” he said, encouraging the people of Longkhum to continue developing the festival. He highlighted Longkhum’s immense potential as a tourist destination, due to its picturesque location and scenic beauty, and emphasized the importance of preserving the natural environment by maintaining the village’s greenery and avoiding deforestation.
The Deputy Commissioner also underscored the importance of creating more festivals and attractions beyond the Hornbill Festival to diversify the state’s tourism offerings. “Preserving our ethnicity and originality is crucial,” he remarked, emphasizing that maintaining an authentic identity will ensure the state’s distinctiveness in the long run. Even though the Cherry Blossom Festival is just beginning, Phoji expressed optimism for its growth, believing that it will only get bigger and more impactful in the years to come.
Special guest for the inaugural program of the festival, Marsanen Imsong, President of Ao Senden, echoed Phoji’s sentiments in his address. He described the Cherry Blossom Festival as more than just an event; it serves as a “platform to showcase Longkhum’s potential.” Imsong expressed confidence in the careful planning behind the festival and its future success, remarking Longkhum as a place of beauty and rich heritage, and the Cherry Blossom Festival reflects the beauty of the place and its people.
This year’s festival, though only in its second year, has already captured the imagination of the local community. Many eagerly anticipated the second edition even before the first one ended. The event brings together the community through music, food, and a variety of activities, creating a sense of unity and pride. The success of the Cherry Blossom Festival is a testament to the increasing appeal of Longkhum as a tourist destination, and more importantly, it underscores the need for more festivals throughout the year to attract tourists.
Compared to last year’s edition, the festival has grown significantly, with more stalls, better organization, and an overall improved experience. As the event continues to evolve, it is clear that Longkhum’s Cherry Blossom Festival has the potential to become a key attraction in Nagaland’s tourism calendar. The success of this event not only promises economic benefits for the village but also helps shine a spotlight on the region, encouraging further development and growth for the entire state.