Guwahati, Nov 18: Ireland has been announced as the official country partner for the Hornbill Festival 2025, the premier international cultural showcase of Nagaland.
The announcement was jointly made by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Ambassador Kevin Kelly of the Embassy of Ireland in India at the Naga House in New Delhi on November 18.
As country partner, Ireland will bring a rich programme of public engagements to Hornbill 2025 — including investment roundtables, music showcases, public art installations, theatre and literary collaborations, and a curated dialogue series titled Ireland, India and Empire.
One of the major highlights will be the performance by Bóinn, a new ensemble formed by members of the acclaimed Irish folk band The Mary Wallopers, alongside other Irish musicians. The group will open the festival and present a special set featuring traditional Irish ballads and rare folk songs reimagined for contemporary audiences.
The Embassy will also host a keynote discussion by Professor Jane Ohlmeyer, MRIA, one of Ireland’s most respected historians and Chair of the Irish Research Council. She will speak on Ireland’s colonial history and shared lessons with Nagaland.
Ambassador Kevin Kelly said Ireland’s partnership with Hornbill Festival underscores the deepening cultural ties between the two nations.
“Ireland’s partnership with the Hornbill Festival reflects the growing depth of Ireland–India relations and a shared commitment to cultural collaboration and peacebuilding dialogue. We hope the people of Nagaland enjoy the best of Irish art, culture, and theatre, and that the connections made at Hornbill 2025 spark even greater collaboration in the future.”
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio welcomed the partnership, calling it both meaningful and special.
“Nagaland is honoured to welcome Ireland as our Country Partner. Ireland’s rich culture and artistic traditions resonate deeply with our own. We see immense potential for expanded collaboration across culture, tourism, education, creative industries, youth exchange, sustainable development, and people-to-people engagement.”
Adding a multidisciplinary edge to the partnership, Delhi-based arts company Kaivalya Plays will present dramatised readings of James Joyce’s Dubliners—part of the global Year of Joyce celebrations—alongside theatre workshops for young artists in Nagaland.
In another major attraction, the Irish pagan goddess Danu—a striking public art installation created by Irish artists from Macnas in collaboration with Indian artists—will make a special appearance at the festival, brought to Kohima in partnership with the Embassy of Ireland, the Honorary Consulate General in Kolkata, and Keventers Agro.
Organised annually from December 1 to 10, the Hornbill Festival is Nagaland’s largest celebration of culture and heritage. Since 2000, it has grown into a powerful symbol of unity among the state’s 17 major tribes, fostering tourism, reconciliation, and cultural pride.
Also Read: Air India Express official travel partner for Hornbill Festival 2025
Also Watch
Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.
Also, Follow us on-
Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub
Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020
Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub
Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub
