'Unity Arena' ready to host 26th Hornbill Festival at Kisama. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 30
The much-awaited 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival 2025 will commence on December 1. The inaugural programme will be held at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, at 4 PM with Nagaland Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla as the chief host and Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio as the host.
“We welcome the rest of the world, the rest of the country and all the citizens of Nagaland to come and participate in the festival,” said Tourism & Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along while addressing a press conference today.
He informed that, on the initiative of the Chief Minister, the Government of India has notified a relaxation of the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime for the 10-day annual cultural and tourism event. He said Naga tribes will come together in unity to showcase their traditions, culture, music, art, food and lifestyle at the festival.
The six country partners for this edition are France, Austria, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Malta and Ireland, with Arunachal Pradesh as the partner state. “This time, the Hornbill Festival is stressing on amplifying both our tradition and culture while strengthening networks with our country partners and state partner to further promote the State,” Along said.
He informed that Rs 7 crore has been allotted for the festival. From this year, the newly constructed stadium at the main arena in Kisama has been named “Unity Arena,” which will host major cultural and musical events.
The Minister also announced the extension of the Hornbill Festival to Mon, Dimapur, Chümoukedima, Peren, Phek, Wokha, Zunheboto and other regions. He said the International Hornbill Festival–Mon edition, scheduled from December 8 to 10, would be a premier event for the eastern region as well as the rest of Nagaland.
“We hope all our tourists will have experiential tourism this time,” he added.
As the Tourism Department serves as the nodal agency for the festival, Along said line departments including Art & Culture, Horticulture, Agriculture, Industries & Commerce, IDAN and other partners have been working tirelessly for the success of the 26th edition. He also thanked various State Government departments, particularly Police, Power, PHED, and all officials led by the Chief Secretary.
“We are also thankful to the people of Nagaland who are working very hard, and our influencers who will be participating in various ways,” he said, while also expressing gratitude to the Churches for their support and prayers.
Along further thanked the Chief Minister for his consistent support and initiatives, which he said have transformed the Hornbill Festival and elevated Nagaland’s global profile.
Nagaland Tourism Director Veyielo Doulo informed that the Government has revised the entry fee for all visitor categories to Rs 150.
Organised annually from December 1–10 since 2000, the Hornbill Festival showcases Naga tribal culture while boosting the tourism industry in the State. Named after the hornbill bird—significant in Naga culture—the festival continues to be a major cultural attraction.
The 25th edition in 2024 recorded 2,05,968 visitors at the main venue in Kisama.
The honoured guests for the inaugural programme include: Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France; Kevin Kelly, Ambassador of Ireland; Maya Tissafi, Ambassador of Switzerland; Hans-Jörg Hortnagl, Austrian Trade Commissioner; Dr Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner; and Shyamala Ramanan, Business Head, Mia by Tanishq.
