Coinciding with the Nagaland statehood day, the week-long Hornbill festival today got off to a colourful start at Kisama near here with cultural troupes from Japan, Thailand and Myanmar besides North-Eastern states taking part in it.

Troupes from Japan, Korea, Thailand and Myanmar joined the 10th edition of the Hornbill festival, which went international as intended by the Nagaland government.

Touted as the 'festival of festivals', the annual extravaganza is a tourism promotional activity at Kisama, Naga heritage village, where one can enjoy the Naga life and culture in their entirety under a single roof.

Besides the usual showcasing of Naga dance, music, art, ethnic foods, handlooms and handicrafts, some new features such as kids festival and a Korean food stall have been added.

Welcoming the gathering, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the government wants to privatise the management of the huge infrastructure and various events organised during the festival.