Members of Writers Collective seen with the winners of the Short Story Writing Competition organised as part of the NLF 2025 and others on December 13. (Photo by Jabu Krocha)
‘Distinctive feature of NLF is embracing all forms of creative self-expression’
Morung Express News
Kohima | December 13
Asserting that literature is essentially a reflection of life and the most quintessential way in which human beings express their emotions, Dr Vizovono Elizabeth, General Secretary of Writers Collective Kohima remarked that the distinctive feature of Nagaland Literature Festival (NLF) is embracing all forms of creative self-expression and storytelling.
Delivering the way forward at the closing ceremony of the 5th Edition of Nagaland Literature Festival at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School Kohima on December 13, she observed that the mushrooming of literature festivals across India on big scales has become like a ‘fashion’. NLF, she added is still a very small community, and has a long way to go, but stated belief that “it is very special because it is relevant to our own context.”
She echoed the vision of the Writers’ Collective, and expressed that, “the focus is not about trying to do what other people are doing, it is not about trying to compete or be at par with others, but it is more importantly about nurturing our own talents and providing a platform especially for the young, aspiring and upcoming creative artists.”
Even while keeping it very local, she stated that they were encouraged by the support and the positive response from so many unexpected supporters drawing entries even from the international level for its short story & poetry writing competition.
In this regard, she exuded hope that “the seeds that we are sowing are slowly growing and that we will continue to grow together.” She reiterated that the distinctive feature of NLF “is not just a celebration of established and now popular authors, but more importantly, it is a platform and a safe space for new and upcoming writers and creative artists.”
Not all participants are writers either, she further highlighted while revealing that, “we also have very avid readers and supporters of literature taking active part and working along with us.” Terming this as “truly wholesome”, she said that literature would be meaningless without the readers.
Looking ahead, she envisioned that they can go ahead together and continue to support, learn and grow together. Expressing that it is the dream of Writers Collective Kohima to nurture our own storytellers and provide platforms for their voices and stories to be heard, she urged the gathering to walk with them on this beautiful journey. “Let’s learn to do this by utilizing our God-given beautiful brains, not being controlled by AI, but using it only as a tool so that we do not lose our souls or our humanity”, she further articulated.
Highlights of the closing ceremony included prayer and poetry reading by Rev Azahto Kiba, Senior Pastor, New Life Church Kohima & Poet, special number by Richard Ezung and Reading of short story excerpts by Winners of NLF 2025 Short Story Writing Competition, Visemenuo Sekhose and Imnajungshi Jamir. Shyamolima Saikia was adjudged third in the competition. In the poetry writing competition, Temjenwapang Jamir won first prize while Christabel Damien and Songaror Horam won second and third prize respectively.
Earlier in the day, a reading session called “Unraveling the Magic of Words” was moderated by the President of Writers Collective, Vishü Rita Krocha. The readers included K. Roselyn Miachieo, Vibeituonuo Kuotsu Solo, Imlikokla Jamir, Kelhukiesie Savino, Machipeibo Zeliang, Elongshila Jamir, Avinuo Kire, Menang Longkumer and Inaholi Asumi.
