25 Reasons Why You (As A Non-Reader) Should Go to The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2024

Taman Baca, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival Main Venue

You don’t have to be a book worm or a literary genius to attend the most intimate yet diverse literary program that celebrates culture, creative expression and humanity above all else. This year it is held from the 23rd up until the 27th of October, with events spread out across the town and the main festival venue in the heart of Ubud. There are more than 250 thrilling programs and 150 speakers from across the globe. Wander around the festival venue, join free workshops or get tickets to an exclusive dinners, there’s something for everybody and guaranteed to be so much fun and if not, interesting. Here are some programs for non-readers we are most excited about:

MAIN PROGRAM

1. Ratih Kumala: Cigarette Girl at Indus Restaurant

2. Melodies and Words: The Creative Symphony of the Lesmana Family at Alang-Alang Stage

3. Fuchsia Dunlop - Invitation to a Banquet: The Story of Chinese Food at Indus Restaurant

4. Innovating Tradition: Sri Paduka Mangkoenagoro X’s Cultural Vision for Indonesia at Valley Stage

5. New Era in Indonesia Politics: Reflections on Jokowi's Legacy and Prabowo's Presidency at Valley Stage

6. The Rise of Audio Storytelling: Exploring the Popularity of Podcasts and Audio-based Journalism at Alang-Alang Stage

7. Remembering Makassan Trade with Indigenous Australians at Indus Restaurant

8. Maria Ressa: How to Stand Up to a Dictator at Alang-Alang Stage

9. Indonesian YouTube and Digital Politics at Valley Stage

Alan-Alang Stage, Taman Baca

SPECIAL EVENTS

1. Sal Priadi di Ubud at Museum Puri Lukisan

2. Discover the Magic of Taro Village: Fireflies Tour at Rumah Konservasi Kunang-Kunang at Tegal Dukuh Camp, Taro

3. Umami: Miso Making and The Food and Culture of Japan with Hanako Footman, Shoukei Matsumoto, and Naomi Furuya at Casa Luna Cooking School

4. Sound Healing with Lionel Lauch at Dragon Tea Temple

5. Moonlit Jazz & Poetry: Indra Lesmana & Eva Celia Special Performance at Ambar Bar, Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Main Program at Alan-Alang Stage, Taman Baca

ART AND CULTURAL PROGRAM

1. Botanical Printing on Barkcloth and Silk Scarf with Cinta Bumi Artisans at Threads of Life Natural Dye Studio

2. Exploring Indigo Tie Dye with Threads of Life at Threads of Life Natural Dye Studio at Umajati Retreat

3. The Language of Balinese Offerings at Nirvana Pension

4. Ubud Story Walks: The Myth of Pejeng Tour from at Honeymoon Garden

Festival Book Club at Amandari 

MASTERCLASSES

1.  Travel Writing Workshop with Juliet Kinsman at Buhan, A Banyan Tree Escape

2. The Dao De Jing: Inspiration for Writers and Readers at The Westin Resort & Spa Ubud

MUSIC & PERFORMANCES

1. 2024 Festival Poetry Slam at Valley Stage

2. Balinese Theater & Gamelan: The Love Story of Rama & Sita at The Blanco Renaissance Museum

FESTIVAL CLUB

1. Building Ubud Low Emission Zone through A Walkable Village at Rumah Kayu

2. The Last Threads: Fashion Consumption and Waste at Bar Luna at Casa Luna Restaurant

3. Collective Reading: Reimagining Bali within Post-Revolutionary Indonesia through Literature and Publications

   at Rumah Kayu

School Library Visit, Children & Youth Program with Yayasan Literasi Anak Indonesia (YLAI)

CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAM

So many amazing programs for kids and teachers!

1. Mesatua Bali, Fun with Balinese Stories at Si Kecil Bookshop

Climate Day at Green School

CLIMATE DAY

Basically the whole Climate Day! But especially this:

1. Climate Day Keynote with Amitav Ghosh at Alchemy Yoga and Meditation Center

Check out the full program at https://www.ubudwritersfestival.com and follow @ubudwritersfest on Instagram

Taman Baca Ubud Writers & Reades Festival