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The fourth edition of the Autumn Festival, organized by Nagaland Tourism Corporation with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, concluded in a lively fashion in New Delhi. This two-day cultural event was the curtain raiser for the 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival, the premier celebration of Nagaland scheduled to be held from December 1 to 10, 2025.
The event was hosted by Mr. Temjin Imna Along, Minister of Tourism and Higher Education, and Shri Abu Maitha, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Chairman of the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN). Shri Kapil Mishra, Minister of Art, Culture, Languages and Tourism, Government of Delhi, inaugurated the festival as chief guest, while Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, along with ambassadors, diplomats and senior officials, graced the occasion.
The artisan corner of the festival featured handcrafted Naga clothes, tribal crafts, and local delicacies created by artisans from all over Nagaland. In his address, Shri Kapil Mishra expressed his gratitude to Minister Temjin Imna Along for strengthening cultural relations between Delhi and Nagaland. “The relationship between Delhi and Nagaland is one of brotherhood. Many people from Nagaland reside in Delhi and this bond, which has been in existence since before the Mahabharata, will continue to flourish with mutual respect and affection,” he said.
He also announced plans to work with the Delhi Tourism Department to create a dedicated ‘Naga Culture Festival’ as an annual event in the capital, with preparations to begin early next year. He also expressed his intention to attend the upcoming Hornbill Festival in Nagaland.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Temjin Imna Along highlighted that the Autumn Festival is a precursor to the Hornbill Festival and announced measures to simplify the process of obtaining Inner Line Permit (ILP) for tourists visiting Nagaland. Special helpline centers will soon be operational at Nagaland Houses in Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati to help travellers, he added.
On the second day, His Excellency Kevin Kelly, Ambassador of Ireland to India, attended as the chief guest. Lauding the festival, he said it confidently showcased Nagaland’s vibrant culture and identity, describing heritage as a “living and shared experience”. He stressed the importance of culture as a soft power tool in diplomacy, and expressed his enthusiasm for attending the Hornbill Festival later this year.
In his speech, Shri Abu Maitha extended a sincere invitation to the visitors, saying, “The Hornbill Festival celebrates not only the way of life of Nagaland, but also the diversity of this great nation. We invite you to experience Nagaland – our colours, our culture and our people. We may not be a developed country, but the smiles you will find in Nagaland will be genuine, our handshakes firm, and our hospitality “Hearty.”
The two-day event witnessed dynamic performances by Sumi (Delhi) students’ war dance group, musical acts like Colored Keys, The Mahila Band, The Eastory Project, Tiatemsu Jamir and Kiki Longkumer, besides cultural performances by KINTEM (Textiles) and Jewelery Wangcha. The festival once again highlighted Nagaland’s growing presence in India’s cultural and tourism landscape, setting an exciting tone for the 2025 Hornbill Festival.
