Austria and Malta named Country Partners for Hornbill Festival 2025

DIMAPUR — Austria and Malta will join Nagaland as Country Partners for the Hornbill Festival 2025, adding to a growing list of international collaborators that already includes the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Switzerland.

The announcement was made in New Delhi following separate meetings between Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and representatives of the two European nations.

According to a DIPR update, the High Commissioner of Malta to India, Reuben Gauci, thanked the state government for the partnership and said Malta looked forward to participating in the festival. He expressed confidence that the platform would strengthen ties, deepen people-to-people contact, and encourage future collaborations.

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Dr. Gisela Kristoferitsch, Deputy Head of Mission at the Austrian Embassy, said Austria would be represented by trade delegations during the festival. She stated that the visit would also be used to explore opportunities for collaboration and partnerships across different sectors.

Welcoming the two countries, Rio said their participation would add value to Nagaland’s showcase as the “Land of Festivals”. He noted that both Austria and Malta bring rich histories and vibrant cultural identities, and that their involvement would contribute to stronger cultural and creative-economy exchanges.

Rio said the state looked forward to building meaningful connections and opening avenues for cooperation, adding that the partnerships would help foster long-term friendships.

The Hornbill Festival, which has seen expanding international participation in recent years, will feature cultural events, business roundtables, networking sessions, and investment-focused programmes in addition to its regular festivities, the update stated.