Ubud Readers and Writers Festival Tickets On Sale and Launches Writers' Retreat
The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (UWRF) is proud to release its first speaker lineup and announce the launch of the first writers' retreat event to mark the commencement of Early Bird ticket sales on 12 July. The 20th anniversary edition of the festival will take place from 18-22 October 2023, with the theme ‘Atita, Wartamana, Anagata: Past, Present and Future.’
Emerging, established, and celebrated voices will present at UWRF 2023. We are thrilled to announce that our first international speakers lineup comprises the fearless defender of the environment, Vandana Shiva; Pulitzer Prize-winning author and investigative journalist, Geraldine Brooks; Booker Prize-winning author of Girl, Woman, Other, Bernardine Evaristo; 2022 International Booker Prize winner, Geetanjali Shree; 2022 Booker Prize winner, Shehan Karunatilaka; Behrouz Boochani, journalist, human rights defender, writer and film producer; and the unexpected comedic meanderings of Australian political journalists Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb.
Indonesian literary luminaries include Balinese senior author and playwright Putu Wijaya; young literary voice and visual artist Lala Bohang; senior poet, essayist, journalist, and visual artist Goenawan Mohamad, creator of this year's festival artwork; 2020 SEA Literary Awards recipient, Leila S. Chudori; author, singer-songwriter Dewi Lestari; artist and cultural icon Sujiwo Tedjo; Acehnese artist and storyteller Agus Nur Amal (PM Toh); as well as feminist author and scholar Intan Paramaditha.
In exciting news, UWRF is thrilled to launch its first writing retreat from 15 October to 22 October. Set in the lush grounds of the 5-star Plataran Resort & Spa, renowned novelists Louise Doughty, Jill Dawson, Kathryn Heyman, and Kate Pullinger will take participants on an immersive three-day writing adventure like no other. Following this, attendees will experience four days of festival magic, including the exclusive opening Gala, dinner at Casa Luna hosted by Janet DeNeefe and much more.
Hannah Curtis, our new Head of International Programming, stepped into the role this month and will now lead the creative vision for this year's festival, alongside Festival Founder and Director Janet DeNeefe, Indonesian Program Manager Gustra Adnyana, and Program Coordinator Ni Wayan Prima.
Artistic Director Janet DeNeefe said, “Hannah's passion for cultivating public dialogue will create an exciting and inspirational program, perfect for our 20th anniversary.” Previously, Hannah has worked for acclaimed Australian cultural institutions, including The Art Gallery of NSW, the National Gallery of Victoria, and the much-loved Melbourne Art Book Fair.
On her appointment, Hannah Curtis said, "I am very excited to be joining the Ubud Writers Festival as Head of International Programming. The Ubud Writers Festival is one of the world's most celebrated literary events and provides a vital space for community and critical discussion on the issues that matter to us most. The festival theme 'Atita, Wartamana, Anagata: Past, Present and Future' will explore the power of storytelling and ideas that embrace and understand that the future is in the hands of the present, which we look at with open eyes and a sense of joy and hope."
Artistic Director Janet DeNeefe said, “Over the years, our Festival has cemented its reputation as a world-class event that continually presents award-winning, internationally recognized authors, thinkers, and activists, along with exciting new voices from the latest literary zeitgeist to intellectual commentary and current affairs. This year is incredibly special as it's our 20th Anniversary and our 2023 program will be no less exceptional.”
The 4-Day Festival Pass will grant visitors access to all UWRF 2023 main programs featuring these speakers. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit ubudwritersfestival.com/tickets.
FESTIVAL KEY DATES:
Following this lineup announcement and early bird ticket sales, the full program announcement is set to take place on Wednesday, 16 August.
Wednesday, 16 August: Full Program Announcement
Monday, 14 August: Start of Media Accreditation
Festival Weekend: 18-22 October 2023
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ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Held annually in Ubud, Bali’s cultural heartland, the festival is Southeast Asia’s flagship literary organisation. Praised worldwide for its diverse and intimate program, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival gathers over 150 of the world’s most exciting writers, thinkers, and performers for five days of electrifying conversation, thoughtful debate, and joyful celebration of literary culture. Alongside author in-conversations and panel discussions are a wide-ranging offering of Indonesian dance and performance, literary lunches, guided tours of Ubud’s famous markets, temples and rice fields, late night comedy, musical, and spoken word galas, as well as book launches, workshops, and events designed to enrich and inspire the imaginations of emerging writers and young people.
In 2023, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary festival. Conceived in 2004 as a community-healing response to the first Bali bombing, the last two decades has seen the festival grow significantly and develop a loyal audience. Over the years, we have presented the likes of Nick Cave, Richard Flanagan, Hanya Yanagihara, Jeffrey Eugenides, Colson Whitehead, Anne Enright, Teju Cole, Yotam Ottolenghi, Fatima Bhutto, Amitav Ghosh, Mohsin Hamid, Etgar Keret, Audrey Magee, Shehan Karunatilaka, and many more—all in friendly, relaxed, and beautiful tropical surroundings.