The ten-day-long Hornbill Festival kicked off with cultural exhibitions, music, and more from December 1 at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, amid the beautiful hills of Kohima.
Coinciding with India’s assumption of the G20 presidency, the festival became the first venue for the launch of this historic leadership role that India embarks upon.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the festival on Thursday, which is also the 60th statehood day of Nagaland. Foreign dignitaries were also part of the inauguration ceremony: the Ambassador of France to India, Emmanuel Lenain; Trade Commissioner for South Asia and British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India, Alan Gemmel; and Australian High Commissioner to India, Barry O’Farrell. Noting that India has assumed the presidency of G20 from today, Dhankhar said that the world will be able to experience Naga hospitality when a meeting of G20 will be held in the state in April next year,” read an official statement.
The venue had boards of the G20 put up with messages about what India’s vision for the group is.
Speaking exclusively to India Today at the festival, the French envoy lauded the display of “unity in diversity.”
