Ubud Writers & Readers Festival: Where Words Meet the World

Text and Photos by Kerol Izwan

Each year in late October, the quiet town of Ubud, nestled in the heart of Bali’s lush highlands, transforms into a vibrant meeting point for writers, thinkers, and readers from around the world. The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (UWRF), now widely regarded as one of Southeast Asia’s leading literary events, continues to uphold its reputation as a meaningful, multicultural gathering of voices, stories, and ideas.

The most recent edition of the festival carried forward this legacy with a rich program featuring panels, workshops, performances, and cultural showcases. What sets UWRF apart is not only its setting—surrounded by rice fields, temples, and traditional Balinese architecture—but also its ability to foster thoughtful dialogue in a relaxed, open atmosphere.

An International Stage in the Heart of Bali

The 2024 festival welcomed a wide spectrum of authors, poets, journalists, and cultural commentators from across the globe. Attendees and speakers came from Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Oceania, affirming the festival’s global appeal. From Booker Prize nominees to emerging Southeast Asian voices, the diversity on display was both deliberate and refreshing.

Panel discussions touched on a wide range of subjects—global migration, climate resilience, storytelling in indigenous languages, feminism, and the role of literature in a digital age. The festival successfully balanced serious, topical discussions with creative workshops and more relaxed conversations about writing habits, travel memoirs, food culture, and poetry.

Each session offered something distinct, and audiences were notably engaged—many events ran to full capacity, with open Q&A sessions that encouraged participation from both local and international guests.

A Festival Without Walls

UWRF is not confined to a single location. Its venues are spread across central Ubud, allowing the town itself to become part of the festival experience. The main hub is Taman Baca, a community center turned festival ground, which hosted daily headline panels, book launches, and public talks.

Other venues included the scenic Indus Restaurant, perched above the Tjampuhan Ridge; BetelNut, an intimate venue for panel discussions; the popular Casa Luna café; and Paradiso Ubud, known as the world’s first organic vegan cinema. Each location brought its own ambience—whether it was the jungle backdrop, a quiet indoor setting, or an open-air stage with the buzz of Ubud life in the distance.

This spread-out format encouraged attendees to move around town, discovering hidden cafés, independent bookshops, and local crafts along the way. It also made the experience less formal and more communal, with conversations often continuing beyond the official sessions in nearby warungs or garden spaces.

Language, Identity, and Regional Voices

UWRF has always championed Southeast Asian literature, and this edition continued that commitment. Indonesian writers shared space with counterparts from Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and beyond. Many sessions were delivered bilingually—often in Bahasa Indonesia and English—reflecting the region’s linguistic diversity and the festival’s goal of accessibility.

Several panels were dedicated to indigenous voices and lesser-known languages. Writers spoke of preserving oral traditions, translating local folklore into modern literature, and navigating identity through storytelling. These sessions offered a valuable glimpse into regional narratives that are often overlooked by mainstream publishing industries.

The festival’s emphasis on regional stories was further underscored by the launch of new translations and anthologies, highlighting the strength and richness of literary traditions across Southeast Asia.

Cultural Programming and Community Engagement

Beyond literature, UWRF also functions as a cultural festival. The programming extended into areas such as film, culinary heritage, music, and traditional arts. Attendees could join walking tours to local temples, cooking demonstrations featuring Balinese cuisine, and evening film screenings followed by discussions with directors or writers.

One of the festival’s strengths is its inclusion of the local community. UWRF works closely with Balinese artists, musicians, and cultural practitioners to ensure that the event is not only global in voice, but deeply rooted in its host environment.

A Magical Finale: The Closing Ceremony at Blanco Renaissance Museum

While the daytime sessions offered intellectual depth and cross-cultural exchange, the final night of the festival delivered something truly unforgettable. The closing ceremony, held at the iconic Blanco Renaissance Museum, was a breathtaking celebration of Balinese art, folklore, and performance.

As the sun began to set around 7pm, guests gathered in the museum’s garden courtyard. The atmosphere shifted slowly from golden dusk to a rich, enchanted darkness. What followed was a majestic theatrical performance by Balinese artists—retelling folklore through movement, traditional music, and symbolic costuming. Gamelan rhythms, shadow play, and layered choreography combined to create an immersive experience that felt both ancient and contemporary.

The museum itself, a space long associated with artistic exploration, added a surreal dimension to the evening. Surrounded by paintings, sculptures, and towering tropical plants, the audience was fully transported into another world. It was a fitting end to a festival that, for five days, had brought imagination, intellect, and cultural richness into such sharp and beautiful focus.

Looking Ahead

As Ubud Writers & Readers Festival continues to grow in scale and influence, its core mission remains unchanged: to connect people through stories. Whether through printed books, oral traditions, or staged performances, the festival is a powerful reminder that literature is not just about reading—it is about listening, understanding, and bridging distances between people.

For those who attend, the UWRF is more than just a literary event. It is a cultural journey, an open forum, and a celebration of the written and spoken word. In a time of fast headlines and short attention spans, it stands out as a rare space where language is given the time—and the reverence—it deserves.

As preparations for the next edition begin, the festival’s team, its partners, and its loyal community of readers remain committed to keeping Ubud a place where stories from around the world continue to meet, mingle, and inspire.

NOTE: For further information about the upcoming Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2025, please visit the official website: https://www.ubudwritersfestival.com/. You may also subscribe to their newsletter for the latest updates and news.