The three-day Longkhum Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 kicked off on November 27 under the theme “Blossom Beats and Beyond” in Longkhum Village. Gracing the occasion, MMC Chairman Imkongchuba said the village has long been regarded as the vanguard village of the Ao people.
Congratulating the community for organizing the festival, the MMC Chairma, who is also an in-law of the village, suggested that Longkhum frame clear guidelines for visitors and “put on young people who know the history and the tradition of the village to employ as tourist guide.” He also encouraged the village to open homestays and to actively share folktales, culture and traditions with visitors. Further, he suggested placing signboards and insignia in important village locations with translated meanings in Ao, Hindi and English.
Highlighting Longkhum’s reputation for tomatoes, handloom and art, Imkongchuba encouraged creating souvenirs from these local products and even suggested hosting a Tomato Festival. He also proposed introducing a notebook to maintain both negative and positive feedback from visitors.
Festival convenor Imtisungkum thanked the Village Putu Menden, the youths, the Longkhum Students’ Union and Mokokchung citizens and beyond “for making the festival possible.”
The Chairman of the Longkhum Putu Menden called on the community to uphold the vision with which the festival began and to continue bringing in new ideas. “Let this festival be not only for our district and state but ensure that it reaches the outside world. It is my challenge,” he said, urging a responsible and peaceful celebration.
The festival grounds featured stalls from Aor Café, Urban Hub, KFC, BBQ counters, bouquet vendors and photobooths. A folk song competition was also organized tonight.
The festival will continue till November 29.