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Southeast Asia’s largest and most renowned cultural and literary event, Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (UWRF), will return this year for its 13th edition on 26th to 30th October 2016 at Ubud, the cultural heart of the enchanting island of Bali.
This year, the festival has chosen the powerful 6th century Hindu philosophy of ‘Tat Tvam Asi ‘– or ‘I am you, you are me’, which stands for compassion and unity in a world where division has, increasingly, become the norm. It asks us to consider what unites us, what divides us, and what makes us human. It asks us to be one with neighbors, strangers and friends alike, and champions the transformative and revelatory power of literature and the arts. This powerful ideology is also crucial to the collective identity of Indonesia – uniting people from incredibly diverse religious, ethnic, cultural and historical backgrounds to share common respect and understanding.
As always, the Festival will bring together a diverse mix of Indonesian and international writers, speakers, thinkers, artists, advocates, commentators and activists, to create a space for cross-cultural dialogue and connection. From literary luminaries to rising stars, political insiders to human rights activists, feminist filmmakers to social advocates, plus an undercover journalist, a beauty queen, a comedy icon, a World Poetry Slam champ, and more, this is truly a literature fiesta for all.
Among some of Indonesian and the world’s emerging top writers who will be featured in the festival are: Amanda Lee Koe, Anastasia Lin, Charlotte Wood, Djenar Maesa Ayu, Eka Kurniawan Emi Mahmoud, Hanya Yanagihara, Iswadi Pratama, Juan Pablo Villalobos, Magda Szubanski, Mitchell S Jackson, and more.
With topics ranging from the question of human rights and human dignity, to the real and imagined ideas of home, the evolving world of journalism, and how we live, care, punish and nourish in the 21st century, the UWRF is set to continue its role as Southeast Asia’s leading festival of words and ideas.
More information available at: http://www.ubudwritersfestival.com/
