Hearts ‘reignite’ for 20th Ubud program
Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (UWRF) recorded over 15,000 festival attendees for its 20th-anniversary festival program, held from 18–22 October 2023 in Ubud, Indonesia.
Festival director Janet DeNeefe said, ‘We are extremely grateful that, twenty years after the inception of the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, we were able to reignite the love for arts and literature in the hearts of every festival-goer during the four-day event’.
The program featured panel discussions, special events, masterclasses, book launches, film screenings, arts exhibitions, and fringe events in Denpasar and Singaraja. ‘The festival once again served as a vibrant platform for cross-cultural, creative, and intellectual exchange, bringing people together through the power of storytelling,’ DeNeefe said.
DeNeefe said that among the 200 speakers were some ‘exceptional individuals’, including scholar Vandana Shiva, a ‘fearless champion of the environment’; Pulitzer Prize-winning author and investigative journalist Geraldine Brooks; Bernardine Evaristo, the Booker Prize-winning author of Girl, Woman, Other (Penguin); Geetanjali Shree, winner of the 2022 International Booker Prize; Shehan Karunatilaka, winner of the 2022 Booker Prize; and Behrouz Boochani, journalist, human rights advocate, film producer and 2019 Victorian Prize for Literature-winning author.
‘Our lineup of Indonesian literary luminaries was equally impressive, and it was an absolute joy to have them join us,’ said DeNeefe. The group included Balinese author and playwright Putu Wijaya; emerging writer and visual artist Lala Bohang; poet, essayist, journalist and visual artist Goenawan Mohamad, who also created this year’s festival artwork; Leila S Chudori, the recipient of the 2020 Southeast Asian Writers Award; author and singer-songwriter Dewi Lestari; artist and cultural icon Sujiwo Tejo; Acehnese artist and storyteller Agus Nur Amal (PM Toh); and feminist author and scholar Intan Paramaditha.
‘Our festival was not just about speakers; it was also about creating moments of change and inspiration,’ said DeNeefe. On 22 October, UWRF hosted a special Changemaker Day at the Green School in Ubud, featuring speakers such as Shiva, ethnographer Justin Wejak, and Indigenous Ecuadorian activist Helena Gualinga. ‘This was a highlight for me personally, as it reflected our commitment to making a positive impact beyond the festival itself,’ said DeNeefe.
UWRF expanded its reach with a series of satellite events in Jambi, Maumere, and Mataram from 24–26 October. ‘These programs featured American fiction writer Tanaïs and American visual artist Edel Rodriguez, thanks to the generous support from the US Embassy in Jakarta,’ said DeNeefe.
Picture: A session at UWRF. Credit: Prema Ananda.
Category: Local news
