Ubud Writers & Readers Festival

Ubud Writers & Readers Festival Join our 2025 Festival from 29 October to 2 November! Early Bird tickets are on sale. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
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From humble beginnings in 2004, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival has evolved into one of the world’s most celebrated literary and artistic events – an annual pilgrimage for lovers of literature and conversation. Bringing together some of the world’s most powerful voices in a melting pot of artists, authors, thinkers and performers, the Festival is a platform for meaningful exchange and cross-cu

ltural dialogue. A place where artists and audiences alike can discuss shared inspirations, ideas and concerns, the Festival transcends cultural and geographical borders to create a truly global community. Across five days, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival delivers an eclectic program of events – from fiery conversations to intimate literary lunches; gripping live performances to hands-on workshops.

Mental as Anyone: A Toolkit for Surviving and Thriving on the Chaotic Rollercoaster of Life is a raw and relatable self-...
26/09/2025

Mental as Anyone: A Toolkit for Surviving and Thriving on the Chaotic Rollercoaster of Life is a raw and relatable self-help guide by journalist and podcast host Jonathon ‘JMo’ Moran, co-written with clinical psychologist Dr. Jodie Lowinger. Blending candid personal stories with expert-backed strategies, Moran shares how he built his own mental health “toolkit” after facing trauma, addiction, low self-worth, and grief.

From celebrity encounters to moments of deep vulnerability, this book offers real, actionable tools to help readers navigate life’s emotional chaos. Honest, empowering, and timely, Mental as Anyone is a reminder that while life can be tough, we all have the strength to survive—and thrive.

📍 Dharma Kula Ubud
🗓️ Friday, 31 October
⏰ 11.30 - 12.30
🎟️ Free with Registration via ubudwritersfestival.com/book-launches-registration

➡️ Learn more via ubudwritersfestival.com/programs/mental-as-anyone

Mental as Anyone: A Toolkit for Surviving and Thriving on the Chaotic Rollercoaster of Life adalah panduan self-help yang lugas dan mudah dipahami, ditulis oleh jurnalis sekaligus pembawa acara podcast Jonathon ‘JMo’ Moran bersama psikolog klinis Dr. Jodie Lowinger. Melalui kisah-kisah pribadinya yang apa adanya dan strategi yang didukung para ahli, Moran membagikan bagaimana ia membangun “perlengkapan” kesehatan mentalnya sendiri setelah melewati pengalaman traumatis, kecanduan, rasa rendah diri, hingga kehilangan.

Dari pertemuannya dengan para selebritas hingga momen-momen paling rentan dalam hidupnya, buku ini menawarkan berbagai alat yang praktis dan aplikatif untuk membantu pembaca menghadapi kekacauan emosional dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Jujur, menguatkan, dan relevan dengan kondisi saat ini, Mental as Anyone mengingatkan kita bahwa meskipun hidup tak selalu mudah, kita semua punya kekuatan untuk bertahan dan tumbuh menjadi lebih kuat.

This book explores the long history of Indonesia–Australia relations, beginning in the 16th century when South Sulawesi ...
26/09/2025

This book explores the long history of Indonesia–Australia relations, beginning in the 16th century when South Sulawesi seafarers sailed in search of trepang and forged ties with Aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land and the Kimberley. Their presence became part of daily life, remembered in stories, tamarind trees, and maritime heritage, with the legacy of Captain Boodieman evoking the golden age of this trade. To bring this history to life, the author travelled across Australia and Indonesia, observing, reflecting, and engaging directly with local communities.

The event will be conducted in Indonesian.

📍 Rumah Kayu at Taman Baca Ubud
🗓️ Saturday, 1 November
⏰ 15.00 - 16.00
🎟️ Free with Registration via ubudwritersfestival.com/book-launches-registration

➡️ Learn more via ubudwritersfestival.com/programs/finding-kapiten-boodieman

Penulis perjalanan, Priyambudi Sulistiyanto, mengeksplorasi bagaimana jauh sebelum kolonialisme berakar di Nusantara, wilayah-wilayah yang kini membentuk Indonesia sudah merupakan entitas berdaulat yang menjalin hubungan dagang dan budaya dengan berbagai bangsa di dunia. Dalam bukunya, ia menelusuri bagaimana sejak abad ke-16, hubungan Indonesia–Australia telah dirintis oleh leluhur pelaut dari Sulawesi Selatan yang mencari teripang, serta oleh komunitas Aborigin di Australia.

Di Tanah Arnhem dan wilayah Kimberley, kedatangan para pelaut ini menjadi bagian dari kehidupan sehari-hari masyarakat Aborigin, terekam dalam ingatan, cerita, pohon asam, dan warisan maritim. Warisan seorang kapten bernama Boodieman diharapkan dapat membuka kembali perjalanan menuju masa keemasan perdagangan teripang. Berangkat dari sosok ini, Sulistiyanto menapaki perjalanan intelektual melintasi daratan, udara, pedalaman, dan pesisir di Australia maupun Indonesia, untuk belajar, merenung, dan terlibat langsung dalam memperdalam hubungan antara kedua bangsa.

Acara ini akan diselenggarakan dalam Bahasa Indonesia.

Written by Indonesian author Enda Sagita Kaban, this charming children’s book takes readers on an exciting adventure alo...
26/09/2025

Written by Indonesian author Enda Sagita Kaban, this charming children’s book takes readers on an exciting adventure along Papua’s Southern Coast. Join Meru, Noel, and their friends as they hunt for hidden treasure, explore traditional crafts, and uncover the rich culture and stunning nature of Papua. With simple text and vibrant illustrations, it’s a fun and educational journey for young readers eager to learn more about this fascinating land.

The event will be conducted in Indonesian. The book is also suitable for children.

📍 Rumah Kayu at Taman Baca Ubud
🗓️ Sunday, 2 November
⏰ 13.30 - 14.30
🎟️ Free with Registration via ubudwritersfestival.com/book-launches-registration

➡️ Learn more via ubudwritersfestival.com/programs/menemukan-harta-karun-di-pesisir-selatan-papua

Ditulis oleh penulis Indonesia, Enda Sagita Kaban, buku anak yang menarik ini mengajak pembaca bertualang seru di Pesisir Selatan Papua. Ikuti Meru, Noel, dan teman-temannya berburu harta karun tersembunyi, menjelajahi kerajinan tradisional, serta mengenal kekayaan budaya dan keindahan alam Papua. Dengan bahasa sederhana dan ilustrasi penuh warna, buku ini menghadirkan perjalanan yang menyenangkan sekaligus edukatif bagi anak-anak yang ingin mengenal lebih dekat negeri yang begitu indah ini.

Acara akan diselenggarakan dalam bahasa Indonesia. Buku ini juga cocok untuk anak-anak.

In Chirping Town, the thrilling second book of The Capital Series, Indonesian author Aranindy explores a world where eve...
26/09/2025

In Chirping Town, the thrilling second book of The Capital Series, Indonesian author Aranindy explores a world where every moment is staged and emotions are carefully crafted. Childhood friends Tharen Walugi and Ameira Tilada navigate resurfacing tensions while working in ChirTo, a secret division shaping public perception. This sharp and emotional story delves into themes of class, identity, and the price of perfection.

The event is conducted in Indonesian.

📍 Rumah Kayu at Taman Baca Ubud
🗓️ Saturday, 1 November
⏰ 13.30 - 14.30
🎟️ Free with Registration via ubudwritersfestival.com/book-launches-registration

➡️ Learn more via ubudwritersfestival.com/programs/chirping-town

Dalam Chirping Town, buku kedua yang memikat dari The Capital Series, penulis Indonesia Aranindy menghadirkan dunia di mana segala sesuatu direncanakan dan emosi dirancang secara sengaja. Tharen Walugi dan Ameira Tilada, dua sahabat masa kecil, menghadapi konflik lama yang kembali muncul saat mereka bekerja di ChirTo, sebuah divisi rahasia yang membentuk opini publik. Kisah yang sarat emosi ini menggali tema-tema seputar kelas sosial, identitas, dan pengorbanan yang harus dilakukan demi mencapai kesempurnaan.

Acara ini akan diselenggarakan dalam Bahasa Indonesia.

In Greta Georges Habib’s novel, a woman escapes an abusive relationship in Singapore and, on a whim, sends a video audit...
26/09/2025

In Greta Georges Habib’s novel, a woman escapes an abusive relationship in Singapore and, on a whim, sends a video audition to China’s state television. Chosen as a travel presenter, she embarks on a one-way journey to Beijing and into her own rebirth. From Taoist mountains to hidden villages, encounters with spiritual teachers, lepers, and mystics awaken her true self in this story of healing, courage, and finding wholeness within.

📍 DI SINI DI SANA by Rachman & Sons
🗓️ Sunday, 2 November
⏰ 14.00 - 15.00
🎟️ Free with Registration via ubudwritersfestival.com/book-launches-registration

➡️ Learn more via ubudwritersfestival.com/programs/love-in-a-billion-chinese-chances

Dalam novel karya Greta Georges Habib, seorang perempuan melarikan diri dari hubungan abusif di Singapura dan secara spontan mengirimkan video audisi ke stasiun televisi nasional Tiongkok. Tak disangka, ia terpilih sebagai pembawa acara perjalanan dan memulai perjalanan satu arah ke Beijing, yang sekaligus menjadi awal kelahiran kembali dirinya. Menyusuri pegunungan Taois dan desa-desa terpencil, ia bertemu dengan guru spiritual, penderita kusta, hingga para mistikus. Perjumpaan-perjumpaan ini membangkitkan jati dirinya yang sejati dalam kisah tentang penyembuhan, keberanian, dan pencarian keutuhan dalam diri.

Candid Enigma: The Artful Adventures of Andrew Hau Ewing is a long-awaited monograph on the late visual artist, curator,...
26/09/2025

Candid Enigma: The Artful Adventures of Andrew Hau Ewing is a long-awaited monograph on the late visual artist, curator, activist, and publicist Andrew (Andy) Hau Ewing. Maurice O’Riordan reveals a bold, under-recognised practice that challenged racist stereotypes of gay Asian identity.

Emerging in 1990s Sydney, Andy was profiled as one of “20 people to watch,” alongside q***r icons like Paul Capsis and Deborah Cheetham. His work ranged from magazine illustrations to provocative public art, including Reinscribing Skin, famously banned by South Sydney Council. Spanning cities and cultures, Andy’s creative legacy lives on through the Andy Ewing Fellowship and this vital, deeply researched tribute.

📍 Rumah Kayu at Taman Baca Ubud
🗓️ Thursday, 30 October
⏰ 11.30 - 12.30
🎟️ Free with Registration via ubudwritersfestival.com/book-launches-registration

➡️ Learn more via ubudwritersfestival.com/programs/candid-enigma-the-artful-adventures-of-andrew-hau-ewing

Candid Enigma: The Artful Adventures of Andrew Hau Ewing adalah buku baru yang mengangkat sosok Andrew (Andy) Hau Ewing, seorang seniman, kurator, aktivis, dan publisis. Ditulis oleh Maurice O’Riordan, buku ini menyoroti karya-karya Andy yang berani dalam melawan stereotip rasial terhadap identitas gay Asia.

Pada era 1990-an di Sydney, Andy dinobatkan sebagai salah satu dari “20 orang yang patut diperhatikan,” bersama tokoh-tokoh q***r lainnya seperti Paul Capsis dan Deborah Cheetham. Karya-karyanya mencakup ilustrasi majalah hingga seni publik yang kontroversial, termasuk Reinscribing Skin yang sempat dilarang oleh Dewan Kota South Sydney. Pengaruh kreatif Andy terus berlanjut hingga hari ini melalui Andy Ewing Fellowship dan buku penting yang ditulis dengan riset mendalam ini.

Hasbunallah Haris tells the story of Syamil, a history student whose meeting with Maryati and Kasman in Padang Panjang m...
26/09/2025

Hasbunallah Haris tells the story of Syamil, a history student whose meeting with Maryati and Kasman in Padang Panjang magically carries him far from home. Guided by fragments of a century-old manuscript left by former Dutch soldier Alex van der Meer, Syamil’s journey stretches from Sawahlunto in 1920 to Leiden in 2020. Along the way, he retraces his nation’s history, gathers clues to a hidden treasure, and encounters both allies and enemies. Through the dangers of jungle expeditions, legends that come alive, and secret organizations that stand in his way, Syamil begins to realize that colonialism in Indonesia is not entirely over.

The event will be conducted in Indonesian.

📍 Rumah Kayu at Taman Baca Ubud
🗓️ Sunday, 2 November
⏰ 15.00 - 16.00
🎟️ Free with Registration via ubudwritersfestival.com/book-launches-registration

➡️ Learn more via ubudwritersfestival.com/programs/leiden-2020-1920

Hasbunallah Haris mengisahkan Syamil, seorang mahasiswa sejarah yang pertemuannya dengan Maryati dan Kasman di Padang Panjang secara ajaib membawanya jauh dari rumah. Dipandu fragmen naskah berusia seabad peninggalan mantan tentara Belanda, Alex van der Meer, perjalanan Syamil merentang dari Sawahlunto tahun 1920 hingga Leiden tahun 2020. Dalam perjalanannya, ia menelusuri kembali sejarah bangsanya, mengumpulkan petunjuk menuju harta tersembunyi, sekaligus berhadapan dengan kawan maupun lawan. Melalui bahaya ekspedisi hutan, legenda yang hidup kembali, dan organisasi rahasia yang menghadangnya, Syamil mulai menyadari bahwa kolonialisme di Indonesia belum sepenuhnya berakhir.

Acara ini akan diselenggarakan dalam Bahasa Indonesia.

The story follows Paskalina, Kosmas, and Urbanus amid a cultural shift where traditional foods give way to modern staple...
26/09/2025

The story follows Paskalina, Kosmas, and Urbanus amid a cultural shift where traditional foods give way to modern staples, sacred statues turn into commodities, and malnutrition threatens children. While some embrace change, others stay to preserve tradition, reflecting a community caught between past and future.

The event is conducted in Indonesian.

📍 Rumah Kayu at Taman Baca Ubud
🗓️ Sunday, 2 November
⏰ 13.30 - 14.30
🎟️ Free with Registration via ubudwritersfestival.com/book-launches-registration

➡️ Learn more via ubudwritersfestival.com/programs/bia-dan-kapak-batu

Kisah ini mengikuti perjalanan Paskalina, Kosmas, dan Urbanus di tengah pergeseran budaya saat makanan tradisional mulai tergeser oleh bahan pokok modern, patung-patung suci berubah menjadi komoditas, dan anak-anak menghadapi ancaman kekurangan gizi. Dalam situasi ini, sebagian orang memilih untuk mengikuti arus perubahan, sementara yang lain tetap bertahan demi menjaga tradisi. Kisah ini mencerminkan pergulatan sebuah komunitas yang berada di persimpangan antara masa lalu dan masa depan.

Acara ini akan diselenggarakan dalam Bahasa Indonesia.

Heritage Threads explores the historical and cultural connections between Indian and Indonesian textile traditions, focu...
26/09/2025

Heritage Threads explores the historical and cultural connections between Indian and Indonesian textile traditions, focusing on the double-Ikat Patola from Gujarat and its influence across Sumatra, Bali, Java, and Flores.

Through richly illustrated examples, it reveals how motifs, techniques, and symbolic meanings migrated and adapted across cultures, highlighting the enduring legacy and mutual inspiration between these vibrant textile traditions. Rather than tracing a singular origin, the book presents textile heritage as a dynamic process shaped by artisans, rituals, and everyday life.

📍 Indus Restaurant
🗓️ Saturday, 1 November
⏰ 18.00 - 19.00
🎟️ Free with Registration via ubudwritersfestival.com/book-launches-registration

➡️ Learn more via ubudwritersfestival.com/programs/heritage-threads

Heritage Threads mengeksplorasi hubungan historis dan budaya antara tradisi tekstil India dan Indonesia, dengan fokus pada Patola double-Ikat dari Gujarat serta pengaruhnya di Sumatra, Bali, Jawa, dan Flores.

Melalui contoh-contoh yang kaya ilustrasi, buku ini mengungkap bagaimana motif, teknik, dan makna simbolis berpindah dan beradaptasi di berbagai budaya, menyoroti warisan yang bertahan lama sekaligus saling menginspirasi di antara tradisi tekstil yang dinamis ini. Alih-alih menelusuri satu asal-usul tunggal, buku ini menyajikan warisan tekstil sebagai proses dinamis yang dibentuk oleh para pengrajin, ritual, dan kehidupan sehari-hari.

Singapore-based writer Gretchen Liu tells the story of four China-born artists who made their home in Singapore and, in ...
26/09/2025

Singapore-based writer Gretchen Liu tells the story of four China-born artists who made their home in Singapore and, in 1953, held an exhibition titled Bali. Inspired by a sketching trip to Java and Bali in June and July the previous year, the exhibition was a sensation and became a milestone in Singapore’s art history—though details of the journey remained little known. That changed with the discovery of more than 1,000 photographs taken by Liu Kang during the seven-week trip.

With over 250 black-and-white images, along with Liu Kang’s private diary, letters to his wife, and other archival sources, this book brings to life an inspiring journey that left a lasting legacy on Singapore’s art history. With an artist’s eye, Liu Kang captured landscapes, architecture, daily life, and the dignity of individuals in portraits, creating a vivid time capsule of Indonesian history.

📍 IBAH
🗓️ Friday, 31 October
⏰ 10.00 - 11.00
🎟️ Free with Registration via ubudwritersfestival.com/book-launches-registration

➡️ Learn more via ubudwritersfestival.com/programs/bali-1952-through-the-lens-of-liu-kang

Penulis asal Singapura, Gretchen Liu, menceritakan kisah empat seniman kelahiran Tiongkok yang menetap di Singapura dan pada tahun 1953, menggelar sebuah pameran berjudul Bali. Pameran ini terinspirasi dari perjalanan sketsa ke Jawa dan Bali pada Juni–Juli tahun sebelumnya. Pameran tersebut menjadi sensasi sekaligus tonggak penting dalam sejarah seni Singapura, meski detail perjalanan tersebut tetap tidak banyak diketahui. Semua berubah setelah ditemukan lebih dari 1.000 foto yang diambil oleh Liu Kang selama perjalanan tujuh minggu tersebut.

Dengan lebih dari 250 gambar hitam-putih, ditambah dengan catatan harian pribadi Liu Kang, surat-suratnya untuk sang istri, dan berbagai arsip lainnya, buku ini menghidupkan kembali sebuah perjalanan inspiratif yang meninggalkan warisan penting dalam sejarah seni Singapura. Dengan mata seorang seniman, Liu Kang menangkap lanskap, arsitektur, kehidupan sehari-hari, serta karakter individu dalam potret-potretnya, menciptakan kapsul waktu yang hidup tentang sejarah Indonesia.

In her work Hana: Jangan Biarkan Mereka Lihat Lukamu, Indonesian writer Yudiati Kuniko tells a heart-wrenching story abo...
26/09/2025

In her work Hana: Jangan Biarkan Mereka Lihat Lukamu, Indonesian writer Yudiati Kuniko tells a heart-wrenching story about a Japanese woman shaped by war, loss, and complicated love. Born from a geisha, Hana grows up in the shadow of the dark Aokigahara Forest. Life takes her from Yokohama to Oshima Island, then to Tokyo, and finally to Indonesia with Rumaga, a businessman from Banjarmasin. But love does not guarantee happiness, betrayal, the loss of a child, and family conflicts haunt her. As old age approaches and life’s burdens grow heavier, Hana returns to Aokigahara Forest with the intent to end her life. Yet, a supernatural encounter in the forest raises a profound question: will Hana choose to live or to surrender?

The event is conducted in Indonesian.

📍 Rumah Kayu at Taman Baca Ubud
🗓️ Saturday, 1 November
⏰ 10.00 - 11.00
🎟️ Free with Registration via ubudwritersfestival.com/book-launches-registration

➡️ Learn more via ubudwritersfestival.com/programs/hana-jangan-biarkan-mereka-lihat-lukamu

Dalam karyanya Hana: Jangan Biarkan Mereka Lihat Lukamu, penulis Indonesia Yudiati Kuniko menyuguhkan kisah mengharukan tentang seorang perempuan Jepang yang dibentuk oleh perang, kehilangan, dan cinta yang rumit. Lahir dari seorang geisha, Hana tumbuh besar di bawah bayang-bayang kelam Hutan Aokigahara. Hidup membawanya berpindah dari Yokohama ke Pulau Oshima, lalu ke Tokyo, hingga akhirnya ke Indonesia bersama Rumaga, seorang pengusaha asal Banjarmasin. Namun, cinta tak selalu sejalan dengan kebahagiaan. Pengkhianatan, kehilangan anak, dan konflik keluarga terus menghantui langkah hidup Hana. Di usia senja, saat beban hidup semakin berat, ia kembali ke Hutan Aokigahara dengan niat mengakhiri hidupnya. Tapi sebuah pertemuan supranatural di dalam hutan menghadirkan pertanyaan yang mengguncang batinnya: akankah Hana memilih untuk terus hidup atau menyerah?

Acara ini diselenggarakan dalam bahasa Indonesia.

Alelopati by Stebby Julionatan is a poetic reflection on human relationships, using the biological concept of allelopath...
26/09/2025

Alelopati by Stebby Julionatan is a poetic reflection on human relationships, using the biological concept of allelopathy, a plant’s ability to inhibit others’ growth, as a metaphor for how people influence or harm each other in unseen ways. Combining narrative essay, prose poetry, and philosophy, it explores social dynamics, inherited wounds, and identity. Written in Stebby’s lyrical style, the book offers a fresh, symbolic perspective rooted in Indonesian culture and contemporary realities.

The event will be conducted in Indonesian.

📍 DI SINI DI SANA by Rachman & Sons
🗓️ Saturday, 1 November
⏰ 16.00 - 17.00
🎟️ Free with Registration via ubudwritersfestival.com/book-launches-registration

➡️ Learn more via ubudwritersfestival.com/programs/alelopati

Alelopati karya Stebby Julionatan adalah refleksi puitis tentang hubungan antarmanusia, dengan menjadikan konsep biologis alelopati yaitu kemampuan tanaman untuk menghambat pertumbuhan tanaman lain, sebagai metafora tentang bagaimana manusia saling memengaruhi atau bahkan menyakiti satu sama lain secara tak kasatmata. Menggabungkan esai naratif, puisi prosa, dan filsafat, buku ini mengeksplorasi dinamika sosial, luka-luka yang diwariskan, serta pencarian identitas. Ditulis dengan gaya liris khas Stebby, Alelopati menghadirkan perspektif simbolis yang segar, berakar pada budaya Indonesia dan realitas kontemporer.

Acara akan diselenggarakan dalam bahasa Indonesia.

Address

Jalan Raya Sanggingan
Badung
80571

Telephone

+6281246838459

Website

http://ubudwritersfestival.com/

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Our Story

From humble beginnings in 2002, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival has evolved into one of the world’s most celebrated literary and artistic events – an annual pilgrimage for lovers of literature and conversation in stunning surrounds. Bringing together some of the world’s most powerful voices in a melting pot of artists, authors, thinkers and performers, the Festival is a platform for meaningful exchange and cross-cultural dialogue. A place where artists and audiences alike can discuss shared inspirations, ideas and concerns, the Festival transcends cultural and geographical borders to create a truly global community. Across five days, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival delivers an eclectic program of events – from fiery conversations to intimate literary lunches; gripping live performances to hands-on workshops.

Like many of the Festival’s previous themes, this year’s is drawn from a Hindu philosophy, but this time it’s one that is known universally. For many in the West, karma is a simplification of justice served. For Balinese Hindus, Karma Phala is the spiritual principle that each action has a consequence equal in force, and similar in form. “Karma Phala nak cicih” describes the belief; cicih means certain and swift.

“As actions in their previous life affect their present, and deeds committed in the present affect their future, Balinese Hindus are aware their fate is not divine in origin, but in their own hands,” commented UWRF Founder & Director Janet DeNeefe.

This year’s Festival, named one of the five best literary events for 2019 by The Telegraph UK, will explore the impacts of our personal and collective actions on our social and physical environments.