The gathering during the 26th edition of Hornbill Festival 2025 at Kisama on December 1 last. (Morung Photo)
KOHIMA, DECEMBER 11 (MExN): Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio has conveyed his appreciation to the Tourism Department and the entire organising team for the successful conduct of the Hornbill Festival 2025, which concluded on December 10.
In a letter to the Minister of Tourism, Rio congratulated all stakeholders on the successful 26th edition of the “Festival of Festivals”, stating that the event had crossed yet another significant milestone and set new benchmarks in excellence, scale and global engagement.
He expressed gratitude to every department, institution, organisation and individual involved in the festival’s conduct, noting that an event of such scale would not have been possible without the participation of the people. He thanked citizens for making Nagaland proud and said the achievement belonged to the people of the State.
This year’s festival saw participation from six Country Partners—Austria, Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland and Malta—along with Arunachal Pradesh as the Partner State, reflecting the growing international stature of the Hornbill Festival as a platform for cultural exchange and collaboration.
Rio acknowledged the unprecedented challenges faced during preparations, including prolonged monsoon rains and natural calamities that posed serious constraints. Despite this, he said organising teams demonstrated exceptional commitment, resilience and professionalism, delivering a world-class event with dignity and distinction.
He noted that the festival continued to grow in popularity and international reach, with rising interest from tourists and delegates. However, he pointed out that the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime, imposed despite a peaceful environment and against public sentiment, continued to restrict visitor flow and impede tourism growth.
The Chief Minister said the festival’s success was the result of coordinated efforts by all stakeholders, including tribal hohos, church organisations, government departments, event management teams and private entrepreneurs. He emphasised that the Hornbill Festival was a people’s festival and that cultural troupes representing all Naga tribes remained its most valued assets.
Rio highlighted the expansion of the festival into six district extensions this year, which he said had benefited a wider section of citizens and broadened the horizons of Nagaland’s tourism and creative sectors. He also cited Mon district, where the Konyak Heritage Centre has emerged as a vibrant and internationally recognised venue.
He said Country Partners and the Partner State added significant value to the festival, noting that platforms such as International Roundtables, Networking Summits and Investment and Business Meets organised by the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) had introduced new dimensions and would enable future collaborations.
Rio added that the Hornbill Music Festival continued to evolve as a global cultural platform. He credited the Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA) for year-round efforts that helped artists and performers emerge as ambassadors of Nagaland on the global stage.
He further commended the showcasing of Naga textiles and handicrafts, ethnic cuisine, traditional sports, village and nature-based experiences, night bazaars, carnivals and entertainment programmes, stating that these elements made the Hornbill Festival unique and attractive to audiences worldwide.
