Fancy hearing acclaimed authors William Dalyrmple and Amitav Ghosh discuss world affairs; or perhaps Nobel Peace Prize winner, journalist Maria Ressa,
on corruption in The Philippines? These are just three of the big names heading to Bali next month, and they’re ready to chat!
The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival is upon us again, promising the usual enticing mix of eloquent authors, impassioned human rights
activists and poetic dreamers. For more than 20 years, its Australian, Bali-based founder Janet DeNeefe has been running the Festival, and
she’s never short of ideas to make every one more interesting than the year before. She chats to The Starfish about this year’s event:
What’s the theme of this year’s Festival?
It’s “Satyam Vada Dharmam Chara“, meaning “Speak the Truth, Practise Kindness.” This Indian-Hindu phrase highlights the importance of these values in human life. It is also deeply connected to the Balinese Hindu concept of Tri Pramana, referring to the three human powers: Bayu (Wind), Sabda (Speech), and Idep (Mind), which govern living, speaking, and thinking. The 2024 Festival will explore how truth and kindness can influence literature, public discourse, and societal norms in an increasingly divided world.
Who’s attending this year?
We will feature yet another wonderful local and international lineup. Some notables include fearless Filipino-American journalist and 2021 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Maria Ressa, famous for her courageous fight for press freedom, Amitav Ghosh, one of our festival favourites, known for his works that blend historical fiction with expansive themes of colonialism, migration, and climate change, Paul Caruana Galizia, Maltese journalist and writer, dedicated to uncovering corruption, following the assassination of his mother, journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, Ali Cobby Eckermann, one of Australia’s finest poets and writers, William Dalrymple, British historian and writer, whose work spans history, travel, and art. Then there’s Indonesian poet and author Norman Erikson Pasaribu, longlisted for the Booker Prize, and one of Indonesia’s exciting new voices, much-loved Indonesia author and songwriter Dee Lestari, award-winning food writer and Chinese cuisine specialist Fuchsia Dunlop, and controversial British author and journalist Sathnam Sanghera. These are just some of our outstanding talent! They’ll be exploring the Festival’s theme of truth and kindness.
You also have some Special Events. What in particular are you looking forward to?
I personally can’t wait for Invitation to a Banquet long-table lunch at Casa Luna featuring Fuchsia Dunlop, Aube Rey Lescure and Juli Min. Panda Kitchen in Sanur is providing an extraordinary range of authentic home-cooked Chinese specialities complete with dumplings and trolleys and the conversation will be about food and life in China! Jazz and Poetry with Indra Lesmana and Eva Celia is another ‘not to be missed’ event. These two are among Indonesia’s best, and will perform at the elegant Amba bar, Mandapa, home of my favourite cocktail. The Stargazing Poetry event at Indus will be a truly magical night of readings, astrology and astronomy under the stars, with small bites and fizzies and The Gods, Ghosts and Deities at Uma Ubud’s Candlenut restaurant is also going to be an extraordinary evening featuring William Dalrymple, Satyarth Nayak, Dee Lestari and Tito Ambyo. The Herb Library long-table lunch will also be a languid, intimate gathering for which we are famous!
Janet with daughter Laksmi; Miss Universe Indonesia in 2022.
What have you been reading, leading up to the Festival?
I’ve just finished Aube Rey Lescure’s novel, River East, River West, and loved it. There are interesting parallels with life in Indonesia, for mixed-race young folk, and it explores that eternal search for belonging, personal struggles and China’s evolving social landscape.
The Festival also includes some top moderators and panelists like Janet Steele, with her expertise on US politics and international affairs. No doubt she’ll be back this year, to talk about the US election?
Janet Steele, prominent scholar in journalism and international affairs, is a dedicated UWRF supporter who has been appearing from the start. She will return this year to discuss the upcoming U.S. election which promises to be a packed-to-the-rafters session.
Who are some of the other regulars?
We have a slew of devoted moderators, Michael Vatikiotis, Kirsti Melville, Gill Westaway, Rosemarie Milsom, Andreas Harsono, Deborah Yatim, Jewel Topsfield and many more, who continue to help us. They are like Festival Ambassadors.
For those who haven’t been to the Ubud Readers and Writers Festival before, what makes it so special?
The Festival is probably the most inspirational on the planet. I truly believe that. You would be hard pressed to find the level of conversations that we offer, from the depth of the program and subjects we delve into, to the diverse voices from across the globe. It can be life-changing for many. There’s a level of intimacy too, with many events held in charming, cosy restaurants allowing for closer interactions between audience and speakers, along with a strong sense of community spirit. And then you are in picturesque, sunny Ubud, with Balinese kindly attending to your every need. It’s hard to beat!
After the Festival, you’re heading off on a boat somewhere exotic with Amitav Ghosh. Tell us about that experience, and how readers can go along too?
After the Festival, we set sail on an Indonesian pirate ship – a Phinisi – to Banda Neira, and the fabled Spice Islands, with Amitav Ghosh and Deborah Baker. We will explore these historic islands, rich in culture and natural beauty, dine on the finest Indonesian food, hike through nutmeg plantations and snorkel in pristine, turquoise waters. Readers interested in joining can find details to book their spots through the festival’s website for a unique, unforgettable experience. But we’re nearly sold out so you had better be quick!
To find out more about this year’s Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, starting October 23, visit https://www.ubudwritersfestival.com/
