Kohima: Wales will be the official partner of the much-anticipated Hornbill Festival for the 25th-anniversary celebrations this year at Kisama Heritage Village in Nagaland‘ Kohima.
The annual festival is scheduled to be celebrated from December 1 to December 10 to showcase the cultures and traditions of different ethnic groups of Nagaland for which it is also called the ‘Festival of Festivals.’
The partnership agreement was signed on Monday by representatives from the Welsh government, British Council, and Wales Arts International with Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at the British Council office in Cardiff .
I'm happy to announce the signing of an agreement making Wales one of the Country Partners of the 25th Edition of the Hornbill Festival. This partnership will mark the grand conclusion of Wales in India 2024, a year-long series of events to strengthen ties between the two nations pic.twitter.com/vjqY8b6NWV
— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) October 2, 2024
This year, Wales has been made a designated partner of the festival, marking the end of ‘Wales in India 2024′, a year-long initiative aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries. Wales in India is a 12-month series of events celebrating the links between the two countries, especially in art and culture, education, health, business, and human rights.
British Council Wales director Ruth Mari Cocks represented the Wales government during the signing of the agreement.
Chief Minister Rio met with Welsh Deputy First Minister and cabinet secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs Huw Irranca-Davies MS and newly-appointed minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership Jack Sargeant MS during his visit.
Rio expressed his appreciation to the Welsh Government and the British Council for the opportunity to visit Wales to discuss their partnership for the Hornbill Festival. He emphasized the potential for increased people-to-people contact and opportunities for young people through this collaboration.
The chief minister said that Nagaland, known for its rich heritage, is eager to welcome Wales to experience its vibrant culture and festivals during the 25th edition of the Hornbill festival.
The delegation led by Rio also visited the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the School of Sports and Health Sciences at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
The delegation included Industries & Commerce adviser Hekani Jakhalu, adviser to chief minister Abu Metha, commissioner & secretary to chief minister Kesonyu Yhome, and press relations officer to chief minister Rusemtong Longkumer.
Rio further said, “We will be exploring avenues for students from Nagaland to embark on courses at these impressive universities as well as for musicians and artists to perform in Wales.”
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Alison Barrett MBE, Director India, British Council, said: “We are delighted that the Hornbill Festival is part of the Wales in India 2024 celebration of two nations of culture and innovation.”
He stated that the two countries had a long-standing relationship with festivals and expressed excitement about bringing artists and speakers from Wales to the Hornbill Festival for collaboration, idea exchange, and showcasing their work to Nagaland audiences.
