Dimapur: Besides Wales, Japan will be the next country partner for the upcoming 10-day Hornbill Festival at Kisama, near Kohima, starting Dec 1.
The Nagaland govt and the Japanese Embassy in India announced the decision after chief minister Neiphiu Rio, his cabinet colleagues, and senior state officials held a meeting with Takashi Ariyoshi, deputy chief of mission, and Mayumi Tsubakimoto, first secretary, Embassy of Japan, New Delhi, at Nagaland House in Delhi on Tuesday.
"Happy to announce Japan as Country Partner for Hornbill Festival 2024. Met Mr Takashi Ariyoshi & Ms Mayumi Tsubakimoto from @JapaninIndia. Japan will participate in cultural & musical performances, & conduct workshops on handicrafts. I hope this will further strengthen ties," Rio wrote in X.
Japan will participate in various sectors, including cultural performances, capacity building, and workshops in handicrafts and bamboo products through Japanese resource persons, master craftspersons, and world-famous musicians.
Both sides exchanged courtesies and extended appreciation for the partnership, hoping that the rich legacy and long-term relationship will further strengthen and contribute to closer cooperation between the two countries.
CM Rio mentioned that Toyota, an international Japanese corporate house, would also participate in the festival with collaborative strategies with the state govt's task force for music and arts.
Earlier, the state govt had announced that the United Kingdom, through Wales, would be the other partner country for the Hornbill Festival.