Curtains came down on the 10-day long Hornbill Festival at The Heritage Village, Kisama here Sunday. US consul general in Kolkata, Melinda Pavek and British deputy high commissioner in Kolkata Dr Andrew Fleming were the honoured guests for the closing programme.
Addressing the gathering, Pavek termed the event special as the day also coincided with the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
She said festivals like Hornbill, uniting 17 major Naga tribes, played a crucial role in preserving the unique cultures, ultimately contributing to upholding everyone’s inalienable human rights.
Alongside these rights, she pointed out that there existed corresponding responsibilities such as the duty to vote for good governance, support the rule of law, and exercise freedom of expression responsibly.
In a world dominated by social media where connections with neighbours and diverse communities often took a back seat, she said the significance of festivals like Hornbill became even more pronounced.
Pavek remarked that the event was further enriched by the presence of representatives from three native American communities.
She said the 24th Hornbill Festival was perhaps the first festival in India to include representatives from US tribal nations.
She hoped that this would not be the last time either and the bond among the people, united in the pursuit of peace and prosperity for the betterment of the planet, would continue to strengthen through such participations.
She expressed gratitude to the state government for giving her the opportunity to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with the community.
Reflecting on the historical mistakes made by the United States, the US consul general acknowledged the challenges faced by the natives in America.
She however informed the gathering that US President Joe Biden had signed an executive order on December 6 during the White House Tribal Nations Summit that aimed at granting tribal nations greater autonomy over federal funding, emphasising the right to self-governance and determining their own destiny.
British deputy high commissioner in Kolkata Dr Andrew Fleming in his speech said attending the Hornbill Festival stood out as one of his memorable experiences.
During his visit to Nagaland, he said he immersed himself in the culture and history of various tribes, witnessing diverse performances on stage.
Promising of returning with his team, he expressed interested in exploring sectors such as horticulture, healthcare, school training, and education for cooperation with the state.
Expressing eagerness to contribute to the state’s economy, he noted the untapped potential for tourism in the region. He said the UK hoped for collaboration with Nagaland for the benefit of the people.
Observing a shared love for music in both the UK and Nagaland, he expressed hope of connecting musicians from the country with the state, fostering collaboration in future Hornbill festivals.
Fleming appreciated the festival’s vibrant colours and congratulated the organisers for the successful hosting of the annual event. He lauded their hard work and emphasised on collaboration and said he hoped to return to the state soon.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Tourism and Higher Education minister and co-host Temjen Imna Along claimed that the event served as the coming together of numerous distinct tribes, encompassing various tribal groups, governmental entities, business figures, and artistes collaborating to exhibit their rich cultural heritage.
According to him, the festival provided a platform for sharing of knowledge, experiences, and the joyous celebration of unity amid diversity. He called for unity in the society.
He asserted that the Hornbill Festival signified unity and collaboration, emphasising the importance of working together. He mentioned that the festival’s roots lay in the connection of the hornbill bird with the Naga people.
Along urged the people to recognise the recognise the deeper significance of the festival, rooted in folklore and depicting themes of faithfulness, commitment, and unity.
Later, the US consul general, the UK deputy high commissioner, tourism minister and Miss Nagaland 2023 Neiketuno Sechü, along with the first and second runners-up, lighted the bonfire to mark the closing of the 24th edition of the Hornbill Festival, which was followed by a ‘Unity Dance’.
Besides host of dignitaries, noted music director of Bollywood and Telugu films Sandeep Chowta was also present at the closing ceremony. While a cultural performance was made by Made in Nagaland, the Hornbill after party included Stardust, Fatal Attraction, and Ethereal Verse.