The ensuing 24th Hornbill festival, organised by the Nagaland government to showcase Naga culture and heritage, has received a huge boost with the United States, Germany and Colombia associating with one of the much-awaited calendar events in the Northeast as the country partners.
The festival, first staged in 2000 to protect and promote Naga culture and create opportunities for economic growth and employment, will run from December 1 to 10 at the Naga Heritage Village at Kisama in Kohima.
Chief minister Neiphiu Rio took to X to announce the “first-of-its-kind” tie-up in a series of posts on Thursday.
“Delighted to announce that the United States of America is Country Partner of the #HornbillFestival2023,” Rio posted, adding they were looking forward to hosting an American music band and US participation in other events at the “Festival of Festivals”.
According to his posts, Germany will be sending a rock band (ELM Tree) to the Hornbill Music Festival besides “well-known” German films and a business delegation for a roundtable with the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN).
In another post, Rio said performers and cultural ambassadors from Colombia will also be participating in the festival, adding value and diversity to the event.
The festival attracted 1,40,299 visitors, including 1026 foreign and 48,413 domestic tourists in 2022.
Abu Metha, the adviser to the chief minister, said on X that “it doesn’t “get bigger than this!!” while disclosing the line-up of the band at the music festival being presented by Toyota.
“This year’s edition will see the participation of bands from Germany, USA, Colombia, South Korea, some of the biggest names in the Indian music scene and the best that Nagaland and the north east has to offer. “
“The main hornbill stage will feature 40+ Bands/acts comprising of 800+ artists from December 1-10, 2023. Best wishes to the Hornbill Music Festival and cheers to all the participants and music lovers,” Metha said.
The festival is being promoted in a big way by the state government over the years as in the words of Rio, “Hornbill festival is a symbol of Brand Nagaland and the emerging Naga Soft Power”.
Theja Meru, chairman of the Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA), Nagaland, thanked the chief minister for roping in the country partners and his vision for the festival which showcases the best of Naga culture, cuisines and music to the world.
“This is the first time we are having such a tie-up, thanks to our chief minister. It will enhance the festival’s reach. We are very excited,” Meru said.
