Our Correspondent Kisama | December 10 A ten day long 19th edition of the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland 2018 culminated today with traditional bonfire and unity dance.
Tourism and art & culture Advisor H. Khehovi Yepthomi in his concluding remark expressed gratefulness to everyone for making the festival a “resounding success.”
Tourists and guests got special mention for their participation, with appeals to them to be friends and ambassador of Nagaland; they were requested to come back to Nagaland in 2019.
The 19th edition of the Hornbill Festival registered a total of 2,51,701 visitors. Out of this, 2702 were foreign tourists, 37,397 domestic tourists and 2,11,602 local visitors. The previous 18th edition had registered 2,43,214 visitors.
Marking the culmination of the 10 day festival, Miss Nagaland 2018, Mewetsho-ü Dianu, along with runners-up, Grace W. Ezung and Bendangkokla, and Miss World Asia 2014, Koyal Rana, Deputy Chief Minister, Y. Patton, Italian Consul General Kolkata, Damiano Francovigh, and others lit the bonfire which was followed by a unity dance.
This year, Nagaland Tourist Police was introduced for the purpose of safety and security of tourists during the festival. The whole stretch of Naga Heritage Village Kisama was declared as “Plastic Free Zone” including Hornbill Night Bazar in Kohima city. There was also restriction on sale of tobacco productions at Kisama.
Hornbill Festival is an annual event in Nagaland held at the Naga Heritage village in Kisama about 12 km away from Kohima city.
Some of the additional events in this 19th edition included People’s festival at Khezhakeno, trekking and hiking of Mount Teyozwu, Dzukou Winter experience, traditional evening park at Kigwema, Rifle shooting competition, Nagaland Honeybee Day, Loom festival, Folk tune competition, Ist Hornbill Night Parade, Ist Hornbill Badminton Tournament etc. Korean cultural team also performed at the festival.
The Nagaland State Government earmarked Rs. 5 crore for this year's edition.
