Ireland And UK Named Partner Country For Hornbill Festival 2025

Nagaland has expanded the international profile of the Hornbill Festival 2025 by confirming Ireland and UK as a country partner. The festival is set to highlight Irish and British artistic traditions alongside Naga heritage, signalling a broadened global engagement for the state’s flagship cultural event.

Joint Announcements Elevate Festival’s Global Scope

Ireland’s partnership was announced in New Delhi by the Nagaland chief minister and the Irish ambassador, who emphasised shared cultural values and aspirations for deeper collaboration. In parallel, Nagaland has formalised its partnership with the United Kingdom through an agreement with senior British Council representatives, underscoring a renewed phase of international cultural cooperation. Both nations’ participation is expected to enrich festival programming.

Role Of Irish And British Cultural Institutions

Irish participation will feature folk music, theatre, and programmes centred on peace and reconciliation. The British Council, working with the British deputy high commission in Kolkata, will curate UK-linked showcases. The organisation continues its long-standing tradition of bringing British performers to the festival, reinforcing creative connections between the UK and Nagaland.

International Artists To Take Centre Stage

Irish theatre groups and musicians will present performances reflecting Ireland’s artistic legacy. Complementing this, Scottish artist Ruairidh Maclean, known as RuMac, is scheduled to perform on 2 December as part of the UK’s curated events. His appearance follows previous cross-cultural collaborations involving Welsh, Naga, and Khasi artists, demonstrating growing artistic exchanges.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Ireland and the United Kingdom are major cultural partners for Hornbill Festival 2025.
• The UK partnership involves the Nagaland government and the British Council.
• Scottish artist Ruairidh Maclean (RuMac) will perform on 2 December 2025.
• Irish programming will highlight folk music, theatre, and peace-building traditions.

Boost To Cultural Exchange And Tourism

Officials state that combined Irish and British participation will enhance cultural tourism, diversify festival attractions, and broaden global interest in Nagaland’s cultural landscape. The collaborations aim to deepen people-to-people ties, promote creative enterprise, and position the Hornbill Festival as a major international cultural platform.