The 6th edition of Winter Tales 2025 commenced at the iconic Ward’s Lake, Shillong. Winter Tales, an initiative of the Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, is organised by The Meghalayan Age Limited and curated by Dak-ti. The three-day festival will continue until December 13, 2025.
The theme for this year’s edition, “Nurture”, celebrates the interconnected nature of culture, craft, community and land, and honours the transmission of indigenous ways of living across generations. Winter Tales 2025 is anchored in the imagery of the five fingers, symbolising hands as instruments that tell stories, build communities and sustain traditions.
The opening day began with an inauguration walkthrough led by Shri Timothy D. Shira, Hon’ble Tourism Minister, accompanied by artisans and entrepreneurs, followed by a heartwarming performance by the Kner Sha Ki – Kids’ Choir.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Timothy D. Shira described Winter Tales as far more than a festival, calling it a “cultural movement” rooted in the skills and traditions of the people. Elaborating on the theme, he noted that the five fingers reflect Meghalaya’s spirit, where hands “create, cook, sing, feel and build,” not merely for livelihood but for heritage and continuity. Emphasising the central role of artisans, he stated, “For us in Meghalaya, culture is not something that exists only on stage. It lives in the hands of the artisan.”
He also commended the festival’s strong commitment to sustainability through the use of indigenous organic materials such as bamboo, jute and clay. “We take pride in the fact that this is one of the few large public festivals ensuring minimal waste, minimal plastic and maximum respect for nature,” he said. Outlining the government’s vision, he added that Winter Tales represents “knowledge sharing, community empowerment and living heritage,” reaffirming the government’s continued support for the creative community.
The opening day featured performances by popular content creator Paduh Aki and a musical act by the Shillong Cosplay Community. The workshop stage hosted engaging sessions and book launches, including From Shillong to Saigon: Market Places as Crossroads of Culture by the Northeast India AV Archive, along with discussions by Habari Warjri on market cultures and Nicholas Kharnami (RJ Nicky) on collective responsibility towards waste management.
The first batch of Go Green Awards was presented to honour best practices across film, art, food and community-led initiatives. Shri Nicholas J. Kharnami received the Green Ambassador Award with a cheque of ₹20,000. Awards of ₹10,000 each were presented to Iaineshkhem SHG (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle category), Eco Club of LEADS Higher Secondary School (Sustainability Cell category) and Joshua Rayner Lyngdoh (Installations category).
The evening concluded with lively performances by Sur Na Nongkyndong, Jameer & Mel, Echora, Kata Nisa and Dub Fader. The workshop stage featured live demonstrations by artisans skilled in pottery, cane and bamboo craft, textile weaving, woodwork and live painting.
Over the next two days, Winter Tales 2025 will continue to host a diverse mix of music, workshops, live art and interactive sessions. Day 2 and Day 3 will include interactions with food and brew entrepreneurs, additional Go Green Awards presentations and performances by the Shillong Cosplay Community.
Day 2 will feature art sessions by renowned artist and designer Mario Pathaw, book launches by Martin Luther Christian University Press and a photography session by Indian photojournalist and artist Pablo Bartholomew.
Day 3 will include storytelling on identity by Dr. Auswyn Winter Japang, a culinary session on zero-waste cooking and food systems by Chef Ahmedaki Laloo, and a storytelling session on Winter Tales magic by Jemimah Marak.
Evenings will showcase performances by local bands including Larger Than 90, Ahaia The Band, Soul Groove, Maya Lyngdoh, Blue Temptations and Khasi Bloodz.
Winter Tales 2025 also features an expansive artisanal market showcasing handwoven textiles, cane and bamboo crafts, wooden sculptures, pottery and more by local entrepreneurs and organisations such as PRIME Rural, PRIME Urban and Meghalaya collectives. Visitors can also experience a wide range of indigenous and contemporary cuisine, locally produced brews and curated experience zones.
A major artistic highlight this year is the Cyanotype March, “50 Years of Meghalaya in Light and Time” by Conrad Syiem, a first-of-its-kind project tracing the evolution of the state since its formation, alongside artworks curated by Careen Joplin Langstieh.
Winter Tales continues to be Meghalaya’s flagship, community-driven and environmentally responsible festival, sourcing locally and promoting sustainability through zero-waste practices and organic structures made from bamboo, jute and cane. The festival embodies the living stories and cultural spirit of Meghalaya.
The event was graced by Shri Timothy D. Shira, Hon’ble Tourism Minister; Smt. Brenda Lee Pakyntein, MCS, Director, Department of Tourism; Shri Robert Lyngdoh, Chief Administrative Officer, The Meghalayan Age Limited; Smt. Rida Gatphoh, Founder of Dak-ti; and officials from the Department of Tourism and The Meghalayan Age Limited, among others.
