The Hornbill International Photo Fest (HIPFEST), officially opened on December 2 at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama. The event was launched by the special guest, ambassador of Switzerland, H.E. Maya Tissafi.
In a press release by IA, Morotsung Longchar stated that speaking at the launch, Ambassador Tissafi expressed admiration for Nagaland’s rich culture and diversity and highlighted the importance of skilled professionals for state development, citing Switzerland as an example, noting that 70 percent of its population opt for vocational training while only 30 percent pursue university education.
She stressed that the quality of skilled individuals including photographers and artists played a vital role in societal progress and expressed hope that the partnership with Nagaland would continue to grow in the coming years, opening more avenues for collaboration.
In his welcome address, Commissioner & Secretary of Information and Public Relations and Co-operation, Orenthung Lotha, described HIPFEST as a “window to Nagaland,” providing a global platform for emerging photographers. He also welcomed Ambassador Tissafi, who was accompanied by Head of Culture, Human Security and Legal Affairs, Embassy of Switzerland in India and Bhutan, Simon Sevan Schafer and acknowledged the longstanding friendship between India and Switzerland.
Co-organizer and proprietor of Portrait Studio, M. Ababe Ezung announced participation from 97 photographers and a new partnership with Air India Express, which will award flight vouchers to winners. The judging panel included renowned photographers M. Doulo, Parvez Akhtar, and Basu Dutta Sarkar.
The exhibition, held at the World War II Museum area, runs from December 2 to 10, showcasing Nagaland’s landscapes and cultural heritage.
