Nagaland Literature Festival 2025 highlights art and AI

The two-day, 5th edition of the Nagaland Literature Festival (NLF 2025), organised by Writers Collective Kohima, commenced Friday at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Kohima, under the theme “Art and Artifice: Storytelling in the Age of AI.”
The inaugural ceremony featured insights from noted author Easterine Kire and actor-content creator Merenla Imsong. Easterine’s speech, delivered in absentia by Adenuo Shirat Luikham, set the tone for the festival.
In her address, Merenla Imsong emphasised the emotional core of creativity, acknowledging AI as a useful tool but asserting that it lacks the life and nuanced understanding required to tell authentic stories. She reflected on the “soulless” nature of AI-generated content and the pressures of social media that often compel individuals to project false personas. “It is really difficult to keep our souls intact in a world that is becoming soulless, and that is where Art comes in,” she said, adding that as long as humanity exists, true art will continue to thrive.
The festival was graced by distinguished delegates including H.E. Mr. Reuben Gauci, High Commissioner of Malta to India, Dr. Olga V. Gauci, Professor Norbert Bugeja, lawyer Desiree Cassar, and businessman Sahil Tandon. Sessions included a talk on “Building Resilient Communities” by Keren Rose, Assistant Manager (Media & PRO) of the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), and a poetry reading by Mharoni Yanthan of Stella Higher Secondary School, Kohima.
In her address, Writers Collective Kohima president Vishü Rita Krocha shared personal narratives, linking her writing to stories and traditions inherited from her grandparents. She highlighted the festival’s origins in 2021 and expressed gratitude to advisor to the Chief Minister, Abu Metha, for his foundational vision and support. Krocha also thanked sponsors—the NSDMA, Department of Youth Resources and Sports, Department of Art & Culture, and District Hub for Women Empowerment Kohima—as well as contributors Thejavinuo and Tialila for their instrumental support.
The programme, chaired by Assistant Professor Teisovi Gerard Meyase of Kohima Science College (Jotsoma), began with a prayer by Fr. Tious Varghese, principal of Don Bosco College Kohima.
Following the inaugural ceremony, the NLF 2025 Fair & Exhibition was opened, showcasing artworks by Adenuo Shirat Luikham and Thejavinuo Savi, along with the book “A Beginner’s Guide to the Butterflies of the Himalayan Realm” by Wonchi and Mhayani Murry.
On the second day of the festival, themed “Unraveling the Magic of Words,” ten Naga authors will read from their published works, while the programme will also feature competitions, a calligraphy workshop and other literary activities.
The Nagaland Literature Festival 2025 was supported by the NSDMA, Department of Art & Culture, and Department of Youth Resources & Sports.