Celebrate literature, culture, and the beauty of words at The 20th Ubud Writers and Readers Festival

The 20th Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (UWRF) kicks off from the 18th to the 22nd of October. This four-day extravaganza is a tribute to the world of words, uniting renowned writers, poets, and novelists under the theme “Atita, Wartamana, Anagata: Past, Present, Future.”

As the UWRF celebrates this incredible milestone, it’s pulling out all the stops, presenting an expanded program that boasts over two hundred speakers and an equal number of programs. The Festival is your gateway to a literary world that includes not just Main Program panel discussions but also Special Events, Masterclasses, Book Launches, Film Screenings, Arts Exhibitions, and Fringe Events in Denpasar and Singaraja.

Among the illustrious names gracing the 20th Anniversary Festival are:

• Vandana Shiva: The fearless environmentalist
• Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb: Popular Australian journalists and podcasters
• Eka Kurniawan: Indonesian writer and Man Booker Prize nominee
• Goenawan Mohamad: Senior journalist, poet, and visual artist
• Bernardine Evaristo: Booker Prize winner
• Megan Nolan: Irish writer

Look forward to two full-day programs at Udayana University in Bali, with the charismatic Indonesian writer Henry Manampiring among the speakers. And don’t miss the Changemaker event at the iconic Green School, featuring luminaries like activist Vandana Shiva, ethnographer Dr. Justin Wejak, and indigenous activist Helena Gualinga.

Following the Festival, a series of Satellite Programs will take place in Jambi, Maumere, and Mataram, featuring American fiction writer Tanaïs and American visual artist Edel Rodriguez, with support from the US Embassy in Jakarta.

This year, the Festival is shining a spotlight on the remarkable senior Balinese playwright and poet Putu Wijaya, presenting him with the Lifetime Achievement Award. His influence extends far beyond his prolific writing, as he has nurtured and guided aspiring writers and performers in Indonesia.

To mark its 20th Anniversary, the Festival is also launching the 20th Anniversary Edition of the annual Bilingual Anthology of Indonesian Writings. This anthology will feature the best short stories from Emerging UWRF writers spanning from 2008 to 2022, along with a new short story from the 2022 emerging writer who participated in an online writing workshop.

But the Festival’s commitment to Indonesian literature doesn’t stop there. It features 16 writers from the National Talent Management to provide greater visibility to Indonesian writers. Additionally, the Festival is actively supporting the preservation of local Indonesian languages by presenting the Rancage Awards to five writers who write in their respective languages.

In honor of the 20th Anniversary, the Festival has revamped its website, offering visitors enhanced access to the program. Explore the diverse voices showcased through an improved user interface and plan your literary Festival experience by bookmarking your favorite events. The Festival is also bringing back the Full Program Book, after a pandemic-induced hiatus.