Dimapur: Austria and Malta are new country partners for the 10-day Hornbill Festival 2025, scheduled to take place from Dec 1 at Kisama near Kohima.Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio and representatives from Austria and Malta announced the country partnerships in New Delhi on Wednesday for the festival.The high commissioner of Malta to India, Reuben Gauci, expressed appreciation and gratitude to the Nagaland govt for the partnership during his meeting with Rio. He said Malta looks forward to participating in this iconic event and expressed hope that the platform would strengthen ties, enhance people-to-people contact and pave the way for future collaborations.Dr Gisela Kristoferitsch, deputy head of mission at the Austrian embassy, said Austria would be represented by trade delegations, and avenues for collaborations and partnerships would be explored during their participation in the various festival events.Rio said, “It is a pleasure and an honour to welcome Malta and Austria as country partners for the Hornbill Festival. Both nations possess rich histories, vibrant cultures, and remarkable strengths in art, heritage, creativity, and innovation. Their participation adds immense value to Nagaland’s celebrations as the Land of Festivals.”“We look forward to meaningful collaborations that will deepen people-to-people connections, strengthen cultural and creative-economy exchanges, and open new avenues for partnership across sectors,” he added.The state art & culture department is all set for the festival to be held on the theme ‘Cultural Connect’.Eighteen cultural troupes from within the state will showcase their lively folk dances and songs, indigenous games, rituals and folk dramas, etc, in their colourful traditional attire, among other activities, at the event.