Olivian Fest underway at Mount Olive College in Kohima

KOHIMA — The Olivian Fest, themed ‘Harmonising arts, igniting passion,’ began on Wednesday at Mount Olive College in Kohima, with a three-day schedule celebrating culture and talents.

During the festival’s opening ceremony, Khevitho T Shohe, former director of Social Welfare, emphasised the importance of informal events such as the festival in providing the students with opportunities to identify their potential, similar to how different groups and organisations grow better through diverse activities.

Shohe encouraged students to experiment and express themselves in a variety of ways, reminding them of their unique talents and the possibility of pursuing careers in music, dance, cooking, storytelling, or humour.

He said that every human being has a different calling and gifts from God and underscored the need to utilise the gifts.

Swedezhono Tsükrü, the principal of the college, acknowledged the overwhelming response from students, faculty, and the institute’s governing body in her speech while lauding the festival’s accomplishment in bringing the hidden talents of the students to light.

The first day of the event featured attendees crafting and displaying their respective tribal cuisines, adorning their stalls with traditional shawls and Naga warriors dressed in indigenous attire. There were also indigenous games such as bamboo pole climbing, yodelling, rice winnowing, top spinning, fire making, and food eating.

The day’s highlight was a cosplay contest, in which participants dressed up as different characters. Dr. Lipoktoshi hosted the first day’s events, which included presentations by both former and current students. The Olivian Fest was declared open by Tokheni Sema, Chairperson and managing director of the College.

On Thursday, the cultural day, the fest will include competitions such as ‘folk art in harmony’ and ‘colours of the hills’. A ‘love feast’ will be held on the same day at the institution, with students sharing food and camaraderie.

An extempore speech competition and a debate on the topic “Is artificial intelligence a threat to humanity?” will take place on Friday, and the day will conclude with ‘Olivians Got Talent’, which will feature guest artists.

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