Nagaland Switzerland, Ireland named Country Partner for Hornbill

Nagaland government has announced two major international collaborations for the Hornbill Festival 2025, naming Switzerland and Ireland as Country Partners for the upcoming edition. The announcements were made during separate meetings in New Delhi on November 18.
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio and Ambassador of Switzerland to India and Bhutan, Maya Tissafi officially announced the partnership, with Rio stating that Switzerland’s hospitality, innovation and cultural richness complemented Nagaland’s identity as the Land of Festivals.
Tissafi said Switzerland looked forward to deeper cultural engagement and future collaborations. The state government thanked the Swiss Embassy for its support.
In another announcement, Rio and Irish ambassador Kevin Kelly declared Ireland as a Country Partner for Hornbill 2025. Ireland’s participation will feature folk music, theatre, literary events, public art installations and dialogue sessions on shared histories.
The Irish ensemble “Boinn”, comprising members of The Mary Wallopers and other musicians, will perform at the opening ceremony. The Embassy will also host a discussion by Prof. Jane Ohlmeyer, MRIA, chair of the Irish Research Council, who will speak on Ireland’s history of colonisation and shared lessons with Nagaland.
Ambassador Kelly said Ireland’s partnership reflected growing Ireland–India ties and a shared commitment to cultural collaboration. Rio said Ireland’s rich artistic traditions resonated with Nagaland’s own and expressed optimism for wider cooperation in culture, tourism, education and youth exchange.
Delhi-based arts company Kaivalya Plays will also present curated engagements, including dramatized readings from Dubliners, theatre workshops and learning sessions. In cooperation with the Consulate General of Ireland in Kolkata and Keventers Agro, the Embassy will bring an Irish public art installation featuring the pagan goddess Danu, created by artists from Macnas and Indian collaborators.
The travelling Irish ensemble to Hornbill 2025 includes Andrew Hendy, Finnian O’Connor, Meabh Mulligan and Caoimhe Ní Mhaolagáin, performing under the name “Boinn”, inspired by the Irish goddess of the River Boyne.