Kohima, Dec 2: The 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland opened with great fanfare on Sunday at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, attracting a record-breaking 23,910 visitors. The opening day saw a significant influx of tourists, dignitaries, and diplomats from around the world, marking a milestone for the prestigious cultural event.

The festival’s attendees included 513 international visitors, 5,486 domestic tourists, and 17,911 locals. Renowned for its vibrant celebration of Naga culture, the festival showcased traditional dances, folk music, local cuisine, and a unique display of indigenous hospitality.

Nagaland Governor La Ganesan commended the festival for highlighting the state’s cultural diversity and fostering unity. He emphasized the event’s role in merging tradition and modernity, creating a platform for cultural exchange and mutual respect.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio welcomed the partner countries—United States, Peru, Japan, and Wales—along with partner states Telangana and Sikkim. He underscored the festival’s significance in celebrating the Naga way of life and preserving cultural heritage for future generations.

Japan’s Ambassador to India, Keiichi Ono, reflected on the historical ties between Nagaland and Japan, particularly during World War II, and praised ongoing collaborations between the two regions. He also highlighted the success of the recent Nagaland Anime Junkie Festival, which drew 10,000 participants.

Grammy and Oscar-winning musician Dr. AR Rahman, a special guest at the event, praised Nagaland for its commitment to peace, music, and youth amidst global challenges. Rahman also shared that he had produced a documentary about Nagaland’s rich cultural heritage.

The inaugural ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks from Nagaland Tourism Minister Temjen Imna Along, who expressed his gratitude to the international delegates and participants for their support in making the festival a global success.