The Gathering of Words: Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2025 Unfolds in Bali

Ubud, Bali – 29 October 2025 – The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (UWRF) 2025 officially commenced last night, marking the beginning of a four-day celebration of words, ideas, and cultural exchange. The opening night gathered writers, poets, artists, and thinkers from around the world in the lush, evocative heart of Bali — a place long synonymous with creativity and contemplation.

The cultural epicentre of Bali, Ubud, once again transforms into a vibrant meeting ground where stories come alive and new conversations are born. As dusk descended, the town glowed with anticipation. The air was filled with the hum of excitement — spirited chatter in multiple languages, laughter carried through the night air, and warm embraces between friends who reunite each year under the same banyan trees. The festival, now a cherished annual tradition, has become both a literary pilgrimage and a reunion for the global creative community.

This year’s theme, Aham Brahmasmi — “I am the Universe” — is drawn from ancient Sanskrit philosophy. It invites reflection on the eternal cycle of life and the interconnectedness between self and cosmos. Through panels, workshops, and performances, the theme encourages participants to explore the dualities of existence: light and shadow, the seen and the unseen, creation and dissolution. It serves as a reminder of how stories bind humanity together across cultures and time.

Janet DeNeefe, the founder and festival director, once again led the festival with her hallmark dedication and vision. Together with her husband, Om Swastyastu, she has built UWRF from a modest local initiative into one of the most respected literary gatherings in Southeast Asia. Her address last night reflected on the festival’s enduring purpose — to honour the written word as a bridge between worlds, and as a space where art, empathy, and intellect intersect.

The spirit of UWRF 2025 is a celebration of togetherness — a celebration of community and the shared power of words. Each session invites attendees to pause, listen, and immerse themselves in dialogue and discovery. During the press conference, Janet was joined by an inspiring panel featuring Sinéad Gleeson, Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Melati Wijsen, and Ni Made Purnama Sari — a dynamic line-up of women who collectively believe that Aham Brahmasmi embodies the uplifting energy that will flow through each session across the festival’s three main venues: Indus Restaurant, Alang Alang Stage, and Valley Stage.

The press conference was held at Puri Kantor, a historical home rich with heritage and symbolism. The venue has witnessed Bali’s artistic evolution and cultural exchanges with the wider world, including the island’s early creative journeys to Paris in the 1920s.

Download the full programme book [here] to explore the four-day line-up of events, discussions, and performances that define UWRF 2025 — a continuing testament to the enduring beauty of storytelling, community, and connection.

Reporting by Musotrees Magazine, Media Supporter for UWRF 2025.
For the first time, Musotrees is honoured to stand among the official Media Supporters of the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival — a remarkable convergence of minds and stories that continues to shape Southeast Asia’s literary landscape.