Director of the British Council India, Alison Barrett, MBE, expressed enthusiasm for growing cultural partnerships between the United Kingdom and Nagaland during an interaction with Nagaland Post at Hotel Vivor on Monday.
Barrett emphasized that the British Council, the UK’s organization for cultural relations, aim at fostering friendships between people and organizations globally. The Hornbill Festival experience marks Alison Barret’s first visit to Nagaland.
She noted that the British Council had engaged with the region earlier, particularly through the ‘Wales in India’ program, which celebrated year-long partnerships between Nagaland and Wales.
Barret emphasized the shared cultural heritage, rich musical traditions, and similarities in landscapes and population sizes between Nagaland and Wales, which made the collaboration even more significant.
Hornbill Festival: Barrett expressed amazement at the scale of the Hornbill Festival, noting the incredible hospitality and the high quality of performances.
She described the event as a “brilliant example” of celebrating cultural heritage and diversity while looking to the future.
“The quality of the performances is phenomenal,” Barrett remarked, adding that the festival aligned closely with the British Council’s mission to foster cultural exchanges and build understanding through art and music.
Culture & music: Barrett detailed ongoing collaborations supported by the British Council, the Welsh Government, and Welsh Arts International. These initiatives aim to foster cultural exchanges between young people in Wales and Nagaland.
One key project involved folk singers from Wales and Nagaland working together to share their cultural heritage and musical traditions, culminating in the creation of new, collaborative music. Barrett underscored the importance of these exchanges in building deeper connections between communities in both regions.
“This approach fosters a deeper understanding between individuals who also represent vibrant communities and audiences in both countries,” she explained.
Educational exchanges: Barrett highlighted the potential for increased educational and artistic exchanges between the UK and Nagaland as a long-term goal. She believes such partnerships will pave the way for mutual learning and broader cultural understanding.
Additionally, she mentioned that more UK artists would join the Hornbill Festival soon, expressing excitement for future collaborations and participation.
Future prospects: Looking ahead, Barrett expressed optimism about further collaborations with Nagaland, particularly through the Hornbill Festival. She envisions bringing artists from other parts of the UK next year to strengthen these cultural ties.
Barrett also expressed the hope of promoting the Hornbill Festival in the UK to encourage international visitors to experience Nagaland’s unique cultural heritage. She stressed the importance of enhancing awareness and knowledge about this region of India, which remains unfamiliar to many in the UK.
Barrett also underscored the potential for broader educational and artistic exchanges as long-term goals to deepen mutual understanding and cultural ties.
She concluded by reaffirming her admiration for Nagaland’s vibrant culture and the Hornbill Festival’s role in showcasing it to the world.