HT Correspondent
DIMAPUR, Nov 17: The Nagaland government and the British Council on Monday signed an agreement to formalise the United Kingdom’s role as one of the country partners at the upcoming Hornbill Festival 2025.
The agreement was signed by Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio and Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director India, British Council, in New Delhi in the presence of Lindy Cameron CB OBE, British High Commissioner to India and senior representatives from both sides.
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A release said the agreement strengthens the ongoing collaboration between the two partners to promote cultural exchange, support creative talent, and enhance global visibility for Nagaland’s cultural heritage.
Under this partnership, the British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, is working in close coordination with the British Deputy High Commission in Kolkata to curate meaningful programming for the festival.
Like in the previous editions, the British Council is bringing an artist from the UK to participate in the festival. This year, Scottish artist Ruairidh Maclean (RuMac) will perform on December 2.
On the occasion, Rio said, “Nagaland is honoured to welcome the United Kingdom as our Country Partner for this year’s Hornbill Festival. This partnership reflects our shared values and a strong commitment to cultural exchange, collaboration, and people-to-people ties.”
He added that the UK’s participation will enrich the festival and open new avenues for cooperation in culture, tourism, education, and enterprise.
“We look forward to welcoming our friends from the United Kingdom to the ‘Land of Festivals’,” he further said.
”The UK is proud to support the incredible Hornbill Festival once again as a Country Partner. The deep personal and cultural connections between the UK and India, our living bridge, are what make this partnership so special. Welsh, Naga, and Khasi artists performed together at the festival’s silver jubilee last year. It is fantastic to be able to follow that up with Scottish music this year,” Lindy Cameron, CB OBE, British High Commissioner to India, said.
