The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (UWRF) will present more than 150 worlds leading authors, artists, and activists from 30 countries for an educating, inspiring, and empowering program in its 14th year.
Besides that many countries which include Indonesia, Iran, Canada, South Korea, Philippines, Pakistan, and other countries will participate in the program, interesting activities starting from powerful live performances promises a world of stories, ideas, and solutions, the five-day program of impassioned in conversations, and literary lunches will also on the schedule.
You can also learn a lot since numbers of leading literary luminaries including UKs king of crime writing, Ian Rankin,Canadian literary star Madeleine Thien, Indonesian journalists and novelists Seno Gumira Ajidarma and Leila S. Chudori, Malaysian minority rights activist and author Marina Mahathir and Indonesian respected writer as well as feminist icon Nh. Dini will also join the event.
More awesome figures will also present which include worlds best-loved authors Jung Chang. Best seller Krakatoa writer Simon Winchester, prolific poet Joko Pinurbo, and Saroo Brierley whose memoir has been adapted into Lion movie, Andreas Harsono.
Southeast Asian leading journalists, writers and activists such as Andreas Harsono (Indonesia for Human Rights Watch), Putu Oka Sukanta (Herb Feith Foundation Human Rights Education Awardee), Likia Zhang (Georgetown Literature Festivals Founder, Bernice Chauly, Michael Vatikiotis, and Nisid Hajaria will also ready to address the most pressing concerns in the region.
Meanwhile, political divisions and climate change will be tacked by climatologist Tim Flannery (Head of the Climate Change Unit at the British Embassy Jakarta), Tom Owen Edmunds, and design for sustainability researcher Robert Crocker.
Latin American authors, poets and playwrights will also reveal their insights, including Hector Abad, Carmen Boullosa, Sergio Chejfec, Victoria Stigger, and Victor Heringer.
Simon Armitage (English poet, playwright, and novelist), Kadek Sonia Piscayanti (Balinese poet and theater director), Ana Luisa Amaral (Portugals contemporary writer), Leza Lowitz (award-winning American writer and poet based in Japan), Marc Nair (Singaporean poet and photographer), Miles Merrit (credited as the catalyst for Australias poetry slam movement), and Arriele Cottingham (2016 Australian Poetry Slam Champion) will also share the power of poetry in public discourse.
Iranian literature will be presented by Irainian rising star Shokoofeh Azar and award-winning poet, playwright and literary translator Sholeh Wolpe.
UWRF will also welcome the wild child of the South Korean experimental literary scene'Han Yujoo, the first English language anthology of Tibetan fictions editor Tenzin Dickie, and Philippines first sole-author collection of lesbian-themed stories writer Jhoanna Lynn B. Cruz.
Sonny Liew (Singapore Literature Prize for fictions first graphic novel winner), Rachel Ang (comic artist), Riziqi R. Mosmarth (Pencilled Ins Art Director), and Ary Wicahyana (Head of the Indonesian Comic Society) will explore the alternative forms of storytelling.
Voice of Baceprot, an all-girl Indonesian Muslim metal band will also give the best performance to present their unique perspective.
Travel writer who walked for 12,000 km through eight countries Paula Constant, Indonesian travel writer Trinity, and Swedish author Per Andersson will also help you to understand more about travel writing.
How about food? Dont worry! They have food traveler Joanna Savill, British leading expert on Chinese cuisine Fuschia Dunlop, and Guardian Australia senior writer Brigid Delaney who are ready to share their insights.
One of Indonesias most controversial writers and filmmakers Djenar Maesa Ayu, as well as Istirahatlah Kata-Kata movie directors Yosep Anggi Noen and hUSh will also present to celebrate the countrys burgeoning film industry.
Founder & Director Janet DeNeefe, recalling the statement of last years UWRF speaker Dr Anita Heiss, stated that this event is the most cultural, political, and diverse event on the literary calendar as number of nations join at this years festival.
At a time when the severity of regional and global events leaves us feeling disempowered, it is vital to hear as many different perspective as possible, and to share with the world Indonesias national motto - unity in diversity. DeNefee added.
The amazing 14th annual Ubud Writers & Readers Festival will rock Ubud from October 25 to 29.
More information and tickets are now available on www.ubudwriterfestival.com.
(brl/red)
