Curtain falls on 24th edition of Hornbill Festival 2023

After ten days of vibrant celebrations, the 24th edition of the Hornbill Festival concluded on Sunday at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama. The festival, organized by the Nagaland government from 1 to 10 December 2023, aimed to showcase the state’s rich cultural heritage, featuring performances from 18 cultural troupes representing various tribes and communities of Nagaland.

The closing ceremony, held amidst the presence of hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists, witnessed the participation of Melinda Pavek, United States Consul General, and Dr Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner, as honored guests. The event marked a collaborative effort with diplomatic ties to the United States of America, Germany, and Colombia, with Assam joining as a partner state.

Melinda Pavek, in her address, expressed her delight at being part of the festival and connected the event to the 75th anniversary of the ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ on December 10, 2023. She emphasized the inalienable rights that every human being is entitled to, highlighting the festival’s role in preserving unique cultures. Pavek urged for responsible actions, including voting for good governance and supporting the rule of law.

Dr Andrew Fleming also expressed his pleasure at participating in the Hornbill Festival, expressing the United Kingdom’s keen interest in engaging with Nagaland across various sectors, including healthcare, skill training, and education. He praised the youth’s talents in Nagaland, particularly in music, expressing the potential for further collaborations.

Minister of Tourism and Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along, co-host of the festival, delivered the vote of thanks, calling for unity among the people of Nagaland and emphasizing responsible steps for progress. Cultural troupes presented a unity dance around a bonfire, lit by the honored guests and the winners of Miss Nagaland 2023.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio expressed gratitude on social media, thanking partner-countries, the partner-state, sponsors, and visitors who made the festival vibrant and special. The festival, dubbed the ‘Festival of Festivals,’ witnessed a footfall of over 1.25 lakhs till the ninth day.

Additionally, the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) conducted a day-long program at the festival venue. A choreographic folk-dance presentation titled ‘Colours of Northeast India’ showcased 120 indigenous artists from eight northeastern states, presenting the diverse cultures of the region.

The performances included traditional dances from Tripura, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Sikkim, Meghalaya, and Assam.

Mokokchung Times