Children’s Folk Theatre workshop concludes at Longleng

DIMAPUR: The week long Children’s Folk Theatre Workshop, organised by the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Dimapur and the Department of Art & Culture, Government of Nagaland, in collaboration with the Phom Students’ Conference, concluded with a culmination programme at the LTBC Multi Complex Building, Longleng.
The workshop commenced with its inaugural programme on September 7, with Phomla Hoichem, president, as chief guest. The programme highlighted the importance of preserving cultural traditions and passing them on to younger generations.
During the sessions, Ainyu Phom spoke on the significance of linguistic heritage, stressing the close relationship between language, identity and cultural continuity. Participating children engaged in folk theatre and traditional storytelling, gaining practical exposure to dramatic presentation and creative expression of cultural narratives.
At the culmination programme, the children presented a folk theatre based on traditional storytelling, showcasing their learning and creativity from the week long workshop.
Speaking on the occasion, Haichenlo Kath, District Cultural Officer, Longleng, and C. Lenke Phom, Assistant Research Officer, emphasised the importance of keeping traditional theatre and storytelling alive, particularly in an age shaped by artificial intelligence and growing concerns over cultural appropriation. They urged the preservation of authentic indigenous narratives and encouraged younger generations to become custodians of their cultural heritage.
EAC Longleng, C. Tsalimse Sangtam, also highlighted the value of cultural diversity, noting that “diversity unites us, and it is our collective responsibility to preserve it.”
District Cultural Office, Longleng expressed gratitude to NEZCC, Department of Art & Culture, Phom Students’ Conference, resource persons, facilitators, children and all contributors for the successful conduct of the workshop.