Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2025
First Line-Up Revealed, Early Bird Tickets Now Available
Text by Edoertorial Office. Photos by UWRF.
The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (UWRF) returns to Bali’s cultural heart from 29 October to 2 November 2025. Now entering its 22nd year, the Festival continues to bring together some of the most important voices in literature and thought, connecting global perspectives with local stories in an intimate, tropical setting.
This year’s theme, Aham Brahmasmi — translated from Sanskrit as I am the Universe — sets the tone for a program that explores the relationship between the self and the cosmos. Drawing from ancient wisdom and contemporary questions, the Festival invites both writers and readers to examine their place in the world and the creative potential that resides within.
“We are thrilled to announce our first lineup of international literary sensations alongside outstanding Indonesian storytellers, who will descend on Ubud between 29 October and 2 November 2025,” said Artistic Director and Founder Janet DeNeefe.
With the 4-Day Early Bird Festival Pass now on sale, the first lineup features a trio of Booker Prize laureates. Indian author Banu Mushtaq and translator Deepa Bhasthi were awarded the 2025 International Booker Prize for Heart Lamp, a bold debut that delves into women’s lives and agency through short fiction. Also confirmed is Jenny Erpenbeck, whose novel Kairos, set during the collapse of East Germany, won the 2024 International Booker Prize.
The international program will also welcome literary nonfiction heavyweights. Pico Iyer, known for his work on travel, spirituality, and global identity, returns to Ubud. He will be joined by Omar El Akkad, the Canadian-Egyptian novelist behind American War, and David Van Reybrouck, author of Revolusi, a sweeping narrative on Indonesia’s independence that was named a Financial Times Best Book of the Year.
UWRF 2025 also celebrates the return of some of Indonesia’s most dynamic authors. These include Ratih Kumala, who will present her latest novel Koloni; Shinta Febriany, a director and poet from Eastern Indonesia; and celebrated travel writer Agustinus Wibowo, whose introspective journeys explore national and personal identity. Balinese poet Ni Made Purnamasari and award-winning author Ni Nyoman Ayu Suciartini also join the lineup, bringing forward strong regional voices that reflect the depth of Indonesian storytelling.
The Festival’s Emerging Writers Program will be curated by Kumala, Febriany, and Purnamasari, reinforcing the Festival’s ongoing support for rising literary talent. Also featured is novelist Juli Sastrawan, whose work reimagines memory through fiction.
The international program is co-curated by Namal Siddiqui, a poet and literary producer with experience across the Middle East and South Asia. She joins DeNeefe, Hannah Curtis, and Gustra Adnyana in shaping this year’s four-day experience. “This year’s festival stays true to its roots while reflecting the world we live in now,” Siddiqui said. “We’re proud to present a diverse and inclusive lineup that speaks to both personal stories and collective questions.”
Photo: Namal Siddiqui, New International Program Manager
The Early Bird 4-Day Festival Pass is now available at ubudwritersfestival.com/tickets, with discounted rates for students, ASEAN citizens, and KITAS/KITAP holders. The full program will be released on 18 August 2025, with Special Events and Masterclasses also open for booking at that time.
To view the complete first lineup and secure your Festival Pass, visit the official website and experience the energy and creativity of Ubud this October. For updates, follow @ubudwritersfest and #UWRF25 across all platforms.
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