The 26th edition of Nagaland’s famed Hornbill Festival – the “Festival of Festivals” – draws to a grand close this evening at Unity Plaza, Naga Heritage Village, Kisama.

Akashvani correspondent reports, at 5 PM, the curtains will fall on ten spectacular days of culture, colour, and global participation.

This year’s closing ceremony will be graced by Special Guests, including Arunachal Pradesh Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Malta to India, Reuben Gauci, and Ireland’s Deputy Ambassador to India, Raymond Mullen.

Cultural highlights tonight include a special presentation by the Task Force for Music & Arts, followed by the traditional lighting of the bonfire – symbolising the formal end of this year’s celebrations.

For the past nine days, visitors thronged into Kisama, witnessing the vibrant culture and traditions of the Naga tribes – from traditional sports and indigenous games to ethnic cuisines and handcrafted art, and many more

As the flames of the bonfire rise tonight, the Hornbill Festival once again reinforces its legacy – honouring Nagaland’s rich tribal heritage and strengthening its cultural ties with the world. Asonuo, Akashvani News, Kohima.

The festival was inaugurated by Nagaland and Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla as the Chief Host, with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio as Host on the 1st of December. The annual Hornbill Festival is also being held in various districts of Nagaland.

This year’s Edition- Six countries, namely Austria, France, Ireland, Malta, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, are the partner countries and Arunachal Pradesh as the State Partner.

The Hornbill Festival, celebrated from the 1st to the 10th of December each year, continues to be a major cultural showcase that draws visitors, promoting Nagaland’s rich tribal heritage and global cultural engagement.