In a significant development for Nagaland's tourism landscape, Austria and Malta have been officially announced as the new country partners for the upcoming Hornbill Festival 2025. The prestigious 10-day cultural extravaganza is scheduled to commence on December 1 at Kisama near Kohima, promising an unforgettable celebration of Naga heritage.
Partnership Announcement in Delhi
The formal announcement came during a ceremony in New Delhi on Wednesday, where Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio stood alongside diplomatic representatives from both European nations. The event marked a crucial milestone in expanding the international footprint of Northeast India's most famous cultural festival.
Malta's High Commissioner to India, Reuben Gauci, expressed profound appreciation for the partnership opportunity. During his meeting with Chief Minister Rio, Gauci emphasized that Malta eagerly anticipates participation in what he described as an "iconic event." He articulated hopes that this platform would significantly strengthen bilateral ties, enhance people-to-people connections, and establish pathways for future collaborations between Malta and Nagaland.
Strategic Participation and Cultural Exchange
From the Austrian side, Dr. Gisela Kristoferitsch, Deputy Head of Mission at the Austrian Embassy, outlined their strategic approach to the festival. Austria plans to send trade delegations alongside cultural representatives, actively exploring avenues for collaborations and partnerships across various sectors during their participation in multiple festival events.
Chief Minister Rio welcomed the European nations with open arms, stating, "It is a pleasure and an honour to welcome Malta and Austria as country partners for the Hornbill Festival. Both nations possess rich histories, vibrant cultures, and remarkable strengths in art, heritage, creativity, and innovation." He emphasized that their participation adds immense value to Nagaland's celebrations as the self-proclaimed Land of Festivals.
Theme and Cultural Showcases
The 2025 edition of the Hornbill Festival will revolve around the theme 'Cultural Connect', perfectly aligning with the international partnerships. The Nagaland State Art & Culture Department has confirmed extensive preparations to ensure the festival's success.
Visitors can expect a spectacular display of Naga culture with eighteen cultural troupes from across the state scheduled to participate. These troupes will showcase lively folk dances, traditional songs, indigenous games, ancient rituals, and folk dramas while adorned in colorful traditional attire.
Rio further elaborated on the festival's broader objectives, adding, "We look forward to meaningful collaborations that will deepen people-to-people connections, strengthen cultural and creative-economy exchanges, and open new avenues for partnership across sectors."
The Hornbill Festival, established to promote inter-tribal interaction and showcase Nagaland's rich cultural heritage, continues to grow in international stature with these new European partnerships, setting the stage for an unprecedented cultural exchange in December 2025.
