Ubud Writers & Readers Festival

Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2024 Event

This year’s theme highlights a commitment to integrity and compassion in literature.

UWRF is renowned for its diverse array of literary stars. This year’s international speakers include:

• Amitav Ghosh – Celebrated Indian author.
• Aube Rey Lescure – 2024 Women’s Prize for Fiction nominee.
• Nam Le – Acclaimed author of “The Boat.”
• Bora Chung – 2022 International Booker Prize nominee.
• Ali Cobby Eckermann – Esteemed Aboriginal poet.

Indonesian voices include:

• Ayu Utami – Renowned writer and activist.
• Agustinus Wibowo – Travel writer.
• Ratih Kumala – Author of “Gadis Kretek.”
• Oka Rusmini – Balinese writer.
• Seno Gumira Ajidarma – Eminent journalist.

“We’re bringing you everything you could ever wish for at a literary festival: emerging and established Indonesian and international writers, and these are just the ones we can tell you about. Stay tuned for our full program release.”

Ubud Writers & Readers Festival Founder, Janet DeNeefe

More Than Talks

At the festival, attendees can engage in various activities, including panel discussions, literary lunches, guided cultural tours, late-night readings, live music, and book launches.

There’s something for everyone, whether you’re an avid reader, an aspiring writer, or simply someone who loves a good story.

Writers Retreat

The 2024 Ubud Writers Retreat, led by novelist Laura Jean McKay, offers a creative escape from October 20 to 27. It includes exclusive festival access and events like the Gala Opening and cocktail gatherings.

Don’t miss this extraordinary literary celebration.

Early bird tickets are on sale now with discounts for KITAS/KITAP holders, ASEAN citizens, and students.

Get your tickets
ubudwritersfestival.com/tickets

more information:

For more than two decades, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (UWRF) has grown to become Southeast Asia’s most meaningful literature event, showcasing and sharing groundbreaking  storytelling from leading writers, poets and playwrights.

This October, the Festival will continue to spark ideas, foster dialogue, and provide a space for engaging world voices.

Alongside author in-conversations and panel discussions there will be performances, literary lunches and dinners, guided cultural tours, late night readings, live music and spoken word, as well as, book launches and workshops.

The theme of this year’s Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, ‘Satyam Vada Dharmam Chara,’ originates from the epic Hindu scripture, the Mahabharata. Translated as Speak the Truth, Practice Kindness, it emphasizes truth and kindness as an essential human quality.

It is linked to the philosophical concept of Balinese Hinduism, ‘Tri Pramana’, the three powers within humans: Bayu (wind), Sabda (speech), and Idep (mind), representing the abilities to live, speak, and think.

Aligned with this profound theme, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival delves into the work of our writers who are creating a difference in the current literary arena.

In a world where words are powerful weapons, we are invited to reflect on the influence and importance of literature amidst rapid technological advancements, information dissemination and current events, based on the principles of truth and integrity.

“This year we will present a program that explores how words and ideas can shape public discourse, influence societal norms, and how writers can amplify the values of truth and kindness, against a world that is increasingly going the other way’, said Janet DeNeefe, Festival Founder and Director.

The ancient Hindu scripture, which underpins the festival theme, is explored with fresh eyes by Ida Lawrence, Australian-Indonesian visual artist.

Known for her distinct style in blending storytelling and painting, Ida crafted a dynamic composition of books forming letters that depict the theme in Sanskrit, woven into a vibrant array of colours, textures, and patterns.

“I wanted the process of seeing books form the letters that spell out the theme in Sanskrit, realizing their nature as books, and deciphering the message they convey to require a slowing down and sustained period of looking.” said Ida Lawrence.

“It’s unusual for me to make work with a moral message so rather than illustrate the theme, I meditated on questions while I painted, and the final artwork became like an artifact or visual description of that reflection process.” 

Ida Lawrence

The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival also releases its Book Launch Program.

Indonesian and international writers alike can benefit from a fully arranged venue, as well as extensive marketing, networking and hospitality opportunities.

Since 2018, the Festival has championed hundreds of emerging and established writers with this program.

In partnership with the Australasian Association of Writing Programs (AAWP), the Festival has also launched an open call for writers based in Australasia to take the chance to travel to the 2024 Festival.

Aspiring authors are invited to submit their work to the Emerging Writers’ Prizes of Prose and Poetry, while translators at all career stages are encouraged to submit their work to the Translators’ Prize.

“We are proud to champion more than twenty years of vibrant and diverse writing from Indonesia, Southeast Asia and beyond and bring together world-class storytellers, thinkers, and new voices from all corners of the world to Ubud,” said Janet DeNeefe, “we cannot wait to welcome our devoted followers once again this October to experience the unique spirit of our Festival that is literally magical.”