2010 Writers and Friends feedback:

Vikas Swarup
thank you for inviting me to the Ubud Readers’ and Writers’ Festival. It was a great experience and I wish I could have stayed longer.

Imran Ahmad
UWRF is the most amazing, wonderful and magical literary festival there is.

Arnold Zable
My experience of the 2009 Ubud Writers and Readers festival was rich and varied. I participated in three panel discussions on three quite different topics, namely, ‘Global Nomads’, ‘The role of Storytelling’ and ‘Literature and Activism.’ I enjoyed meeting my fellow panelists and listening to their views and learning of their work. They included writers from Indonesia, Uganda, Sri Lanka and other parts of Asia. I found we had a lot in common. I also launched a book by Perth writer Margo Byrne. It was a pleasure to launch her first book, and to present her work to an audience. The major benefit of the festival was in discussing my work, and in meeting a range of writers from Asia, Africa and other countries. I am going to recommend several of them to the Melbourne Writers Festival.

As president of Melbourne PEN, it was good to connect with writers from the region and to let them know of our Asian and Pacific Writers network website. Because of its informal nature, central location, and the nightly social gatherings organized for writers, the festival provided many opportunities for personal meetings with fellow writers and audiences, and engaging in discussions that went beyond the individual sessions. Since the festival I have continued some of these discussions by email and formed more lasting friendships with several writers I met. A highlight was meeting and listening to Wole Soyinka. I will recommend that he be invited to the Melbourne Writers festival or alternatively, to events organized by PEN.

I was impressed with the growing participation of local writers in the festival, and efforts to broaden the appeal of the festival to Indonesian audiences. I am now interested in submitting essays and stories to several Asian publications of which I had little awareness before the festival. It was great to have an opportunity toreturn to Indonesia for the first time in many years. One of the highlights of the festival was the presentation of cultural events that provided insights into Balinese culture. It has reignited my interest in the area and in writing about it.

Fatima Bhutto
I had a deliriously good time and am penning effusive thank you notes as we speak. I can’t tell you what a wonderful experience it was. What a spectacular opportunity it was. I so hope we can continue to support you and all the terrific work you do.

Nurhady Sirimorok
Saya menikmati banyak bertukar pikiran dan pengalaman dengan penulis-penulis dari berbagai negara. Mendengar mereka bicara tentang konteks penulisan memungkinkan saya mengetahui apa yang menjadi perhatian mereka dalam konteks lingkungan masing-masing dan mengapa bisa demikian. Dari sana saya bisa merefleksikan apa yang bisa dan
akan saya lakukan dalam konteks lingkungan sendiri. Di samping itu, berbincang dengan penulis-penulis muda dari beragam tempat di Indonesia membuat saya mahfum tentang keping wajah  sastra di Indonesia yang tak pernah mencuat dalam diskusi-diskusi dan
media-media massa nasional. Festival ini memperkaya saya tentang beragam gaya dan upaya orang bersastra bukan cuma dalam teks tetapi juga dalam realitas.

I really enjoyed the exchange of ideas and experiences with writers from so many different countries.  To hear them talk about the context of their writing enabled me to understand their themes in their own individual contexts.  Further I could reflect on what I can achieve in the context of my own environment.   Besides that, having conversations with a wide variety of young writers from around Indonesia made me understand more the many facets of Indonesian literature which is never delved into or discussed in the national media.  This Festival enriched and enlightened me to the many styles and modes of writers, not only in texts but also in reality.

Tom Cho
UWRF occupies a unique space among writers’ festivals; it certainly offers a writers festival experience unlike any other Australian writers festival that I have experienced. This is not only due to its location, which is so stimulating and based in a place of such artistic and cultural richness. I was struck by the festival’s warmth and hospitality towards its participating writers, and the opportunities for people to connect outside of formal festival sessions. The festival staff consulted closely with me regarding my potential involvement, and they took the time to answer many specific queries I had regarding my travel to Bali. As well as staging various lunches and dinners, the festival provided a shared eating and drinking area that allowed writers and audience members to chat. While the festival also provided a green room for writers, this shared area enabled me to mingle with audiences rather than stay in the green room which is more typical of my experiences of Australian writers festivals. This enhanced what I think is one of the primary benefits of writers festivals – their ability to connect writers and readers, providing a physically-shared space outside of the isolation of the writing and reading processes.

The final leg of my trip – travelling to Borobudur with a contingent of other writers to give a performance – was my favourite part of my stay. It allowed me to get to know some of the participating writers better, outside of the faster pace of the festival. This was a great contrast to the more fleeting contact one can have with writers at festivals.

The festival is culturally diverse in ways that no major Australian writers festival can match. Its line-up of writers features practitioners from across the world, and festival sessions regularly featured writers whose first language is not English. Interpreters were a fixture at many sessions. A large number of participants were also from Asian countries. This cultural diversity, with its emphasis on Asia, was stimulating for my practice. In attending the festival, I have also benefited from being exposed to a wider range of writers, artistic traditions and practices from outside Australia (e.g. I have swapped books with various authors, met authors from many countries and even begun to read Indonesian folktales). This will enrich my further development as a writer and my practice (particularly in relation to my next project, which takes an inter-faith look at various questions arising from the philosophy of religion). Finally, I have increased my networks among writers, publishers and readers.

Ahmad Muchlish Amrin
Terima kasih telah mengundang saya ke Ubud Writers & Readers Festival. Saya sangat senang bertemu dengan kawan-kawan penulis lainnya dan saya sangat merasa bahwa karya yang bagus, akan berbicara pada publiknya. saya sangat senang. bahkan kalau boleh tahun depan saya ingin datang lagi.

Thank you for inviting me to the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival.  I was so happy to meet with other writers and I felt that their wonderful works really spoke to the public.  I was very happy and would love to be able to return for next year’s festival.

Clara Ng
Acara ini sungguh bermanfaat bagi saya. Senang sekali berada di antara para penulis luar dan dalam negeri, di antara para pekerja seni, di antara orang-orang hebat, dan di tengah aura kreatifitas menulis dan kesenian. Bahagiaaa! Ubud adalah oase yang menyegarkan. Saya akan dating lagi tahun depan dan tahun-tahun berikutnya.

This event was very beneficial for me. I was so happy to be among international and Indonesian writers, to be among artists, among wonderful people and in such a creative and artistic milleau.  Delighted!  Ubud is a refreshing oasis.  I will return next year and for years to come.

Dede Oetomo
Terima kasih atas undangannya untuk ikut serta dalam Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2009. Sudah sejak awal mendengar tentang UWRF saya sangat mengagumi acara ini, dan tentu saja tahun depan saya akan mendukung dengan cara apa pun yang saya mampu. Saya sudah memberitahu kawan-kawan dan sahabat untuk datang tahun depan.

Thank you for inviting me to participate in the 2009 Ubud Writers & Readers Festival.  I have greatly admired the UWRF ever since I first heard of it.  I will certainly support the Festival in whatever way I can in the future.  I have already told all my friends and colleagues to come next year.

Agus Darma, actor
I was really happy could join with you and work with you, because you are amazing.

Kellie Jones, actor
Such a great group of organisers, writers, punters – everyone involved.  I felt really welcomed and a part of something truly special. I’ve been talking it up non-stop since my return. It was an amazing opportunity to connect with some amazing people and my virtual and real friendship group continues to grow.

Ida Gunardi, John Hardy Jewelery
It was an honor for us to host the lunch for the festival indeed. Thank you so much for your great collaboration.

Michelle Cahill
I participated at the 2009 Ubud Writers’ Festival in several panel discussions, a writers and readers’ lunch, a book launch and the wonderful  Global Voices Reading at Borobudur. As well I attended many of the programmed sessions. I also taught workshops in poetry and fiction. My experience of the Ubud Writers’ Festival was immensely enjoyable, creatively inspiring and supportive. The Festival organisers are to be commended for creating an authenic environment for internationally diverse literary presentations. The literary merit of the panel discussions at this year’s festival was of an exceptionally high standard. This festival is one which includes writers form the digital as well as the print medias, those from the more academic end of the spectrum, as well as those writing political and popular genres. I personally benefited greatly from my exposure to this wide range of creatively talented artists.

The Ubud Writers Festival Committee goes to great lengths to ensure that its writers feel welcomed, comfortable, enthused and involved. I believe it is a crucual bridge for emerging and/or established Australian writers to link with Asia and the broader global literary stage. It provides a necessary perspective, a cultural platform which the local Australian festivals to some extent lack, in my view. The media contacts which the festival organisers liaise with are likewise an important promotional aid for writers. As a result of attending, I was able to network with many writers who hopefully may contribute and collaborate with the journal I edit, Mascara Literary Review. My essay “Compassion and Solidarity in Reading and Writing” was published in a Malaysian journal, Quill, and online in Eric Forbes’ Good Books blog. My workshops were reviewed and promoted in the local media also. I met many wonderful people, and there is a genuine sharing here.

Sonya Hartnett
All the events I spoke at or experienced as an audience member were well-attended. Indeed, the audience seemed to engage with the topics and the speakers more closely than is usual at festivals, and I was not the only participant to notice that the audience asked sharp and interesting questions.

The session topics were clever and unusual, and the invited selection of international writers made for a lively and challenging mix. The atmosphere during the sessions was relaxed and cheerful, and the In Conversation was amongst the most enjoyable session I’ve ever participated in. The chairs of the sessions were knowledgeable and interested, and had done as much research as circumstances allowed.

The mingling of writers from many countries was, for me, the most interesting and beneficial aspect of the Festival. As a writer from the west, I am used to talking alongside other westerners. Ubud Festival made me realise that the problems we face, as westerners, are trivial. When one is on stage alongside a writer who hails from a country in which they and their work endure censorship and quite dangerous peril, one realises one has never known anything graver than the most minor difficulty. It was a privilege to meet writers who care so fiercely for their work, for their country and for their countrymen that they continue to write despite real obstacles and hardship. It was a humbling experience, and one which I hope will make me better appreciate the circumstances in which I am free to work.

Margot O’Byrne
I want to say what a great time I had at the festival. Of course it was wonderful to launch my book and that went so well, but the festival was such a buzz. So many wonderful writers, great conversation, lovely to meet with Indonesian writers/supporters and get some idea of the local scene. Fantastic conversations, good workshops and such a beautiful place.
Well done to all involved.

Asitha Ameresekere
Thank you so much for inviting me and extending so much hospitality to both of us. Bali is a very spiritual place and I’m richer for having been there. The sessions and workshop were so much fun to do and I enjoyed Sarong and the masterchef evening also. I think the festival is true to its name – for writers and readers – inclusive of everyone. And the vibe from the Balinese is a special one. Thanks so much for a truly wonderful experience.

Alison Lester
I had five sessions at the ubud writer’s festival and they were all very enjoyable and well-attended.  The people who organised, interpreted, interviewed and helped me were wonderful and the transport, food and accommodation was excellent. I met and talked with writers from all over the world and started to make plans for future projects.  Congratulations on a fabulous festival.

Julia Leigh
I remain grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Ubud festival. It was wonderful to have my eyes opened to Indonesian culture: to meet Indonesian writers I hadn’t heard of before – and also to hear Indonesian stories which may perhaps one day feed into my own work. The various panels that I sat in on were stimulating. I also had the chance to make friends with some Australian writers and other international writers- and this sense of professional solidarity is wonderful for sustaining my writing practice. I enjoyed my own panels and the all-important connections made with readers. On the hospitality side of things, the hotel was magnificent and I appreciated the range of social events that were arranged. I wish the organizers all the very best for many festivals to come. I also hope that there will be some ‘flow’ of Indonesian writers back to Australian festivals. Congratulations on all your hard work!

Shamini Flint
Thanks again for the invite to Ubud. I had a wonderful time! The book launch was a great success and please make a note for future festivals that Minami were wonderful hosts.

Mohezin Tejani
The Ubud Festival is a superb event with lots of opportunities to meet inspiring writers, participate in stimulating panel discussions, gorge on sumptuous exotic dishes, attend some fabulous cultural shows and explore the gracious hospitable Balinese culture. A huge thank you for a wonderful festival and all your help before and during the event.  Went beyond my expectations.

Riaz Hassan
I immensely enjoyed being part of the Festival and it will remain a memorable experience. All people involved in its organization deserved our deepest thanks and congratulations and above all the Festival is a testimony to your vision, energy and commitment. I am full of admiration. We have returned with many wonderful memories. Once again sincere thanks for inviting me and for your and your staff’s warm and wonderful hospitality.

Seno Gumira Ajidarma
Mengikuti acara demi acara, saya menyadari betapa santai festival sastra ini, dan bahwa yang santai ini memilki kelas dan kualitas “Nobel”, apalagikah yang masih harus dituntut lagi dari sebuah festival sastra di Ubud, yang betapapun memang dihidupi dan menghidupkan budaya pariwisata ini? Bagi saya itulah keistimewaan Ubud Writers and Readers Festival ini ( Seno Gumira Ajidarma)

Attending event and after event, I realised how relaxed this literary festival was, and that this relaxed feel had “Nobel” class and quality. Indeed, what more could be asked of a literary festival in Ubud, which after all is both sustained by and helps sustain the tourist culture.  For me this is was is unique about the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival.

Rahul Jacob
Just off the plane and wanted to thank you both for such a fun time at the festival. You and the patrons have created a festival that is simply packed with so many events that its hard not to have a stimulating and enjoyable time. I enjoyed the sessions I was involved in and enjoyed listening to others — and will be writing about the moving and entertaining mentoring session last Friday for the FT in a few weeks.

Antony Loewenstein
I attended the 2009 Ubud Writers and Readers Festival and found it a highly stimulating experience. It was an opportunity to share my work, principally on the Middle East, with a different, challenging and often Muslim audience. Ideas were exchanged. I spoke at three festival events in Ubud, a satellite event at Borobodur and a number of events in Aceh. The festival itself was a vibrant forum, unafraid to provoke audiences and writers alike. I enjoyed every minute of my visit. I made countless contacts from around the world, including Indonesian Muslims, keen to continue the conversation online and elsewhere. I intend to maintain these new friendships. Furthermore, my visit to Aceh, a strongly Muslim province virtually sealed to the world before the devastating 2004 tsunami, showed me the power of dialogue. A Jew visiting those parts was a unique experience for everybody.

I found my visit to Indonesia a highly worthwhile one. Audiences seemed to respond positively. I have gained many ideas for future writing work, not least the importance of continuing the dialogue between Jews and Muslims over the Israel/Palestine conflict.

Ernest J.K Wen
Saya sangat senang mendapatkan kesempatan berpartisipasi di UWRF 2009, mengenal beberapa penulis dan juga panitia yang menunjukkan sikap sangat simpatik dan begitu rendah hati. Festival ini memantapkan hati saya untuk terus berkarya. Ketika saya kembali dari festival dan bertemu beberapa teman mereka mengatakan: promosi UWRF luar biasa, kamu beruntung bisa menjadi salah-satu partisipan, saya merasa sangat bersyukur.Semoga UWRFmendatang semakin matang, semakin baik.

I was so happy to have the opportunity to participate in the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2009, and to get to know writers and the festival staff who were so kind and humble.  The Festival inspired me to keep working. When I returned home from the Festival, my friends said that UWRF promotion were amazing, and that I was so lucky to be one of the participants and felt so grateful. I hope the Festival continues to grow and improve.

Rehane Abraham, Director, Midsummer Night’s Dream FireFLY Theatre,
Thank you so much for the opportunity to be a part of your wonderful festival! It was the perfect platform for our work and an entirely lovely experience, once we got going! I look forward to possible future collaborations. Once again, much thanks!

Linda Hoffman
The URWF was fabulous… I only wish my writing partner, Jacky Djokosetio, & I had been able to attend more sessions. We gave a workshop on getting your non-fiction idea published, sat on an evoking nature panel, and were interviewed about our bi-cultural collaboration, so between that & the evening events for writers our time was solidly booked. We were offered a 5-book contract for our Indonesia nature destination guidebooks (we’re currently writing the first one on Mt. Gede-Pangrango National Park in West Java)) by a Jakarta publisher, so our heads are still spinning with so much new information, many great experiences, and things on the “to do” list to accomplish.

Amir Muhammed
Thanks for inviting me to the festival, and congratulations! It was my first trip to Bali, and also my first writers’ festival, and will be pleasantly remembered for a very long time!

Jaimal Yogis
I had the most lovely time at the festival. You all do an incredible job and I really can’t thank you enough. I sold a lot of books, loved doing the panels, and even had fun teaching the surf writing workshop. But most of all, I just met amazing people. It is truly a gift to put on such an event!

Stephen McCarty
Had a brilliant time, really enjoyed it and the sessions were a treat. Thanks for all your hard work. Let’s do it all again next year!!

Jennifer Mackenzie
I would like to thank you for organising such a wonderful festival. It was a rollercoaster ride of one unforgettable experience after another. The opportunity to meet many interesting writers and readers, to participate in and attend a variety of panel sessions encompassing fine writing, exciting ideas and debate, to go to great parties, and of course to take part in the pioneering session at Borobudur was an experience second to none.

Dominique Schwartz
Thanks SO much for inviting me to be a part of the Ubud Writers Festival.  It was a blast. You and Janet and your team should be very proud.

Annie Grossman
I wanted to congratulate you on an amazing Festival.  I can’t believe how streamlined and smooth everything appeared to be!  (I know only too well how chaotic things can be behind the scenes!)  The program was brilliant – such a great balance of genres and moods.  The venues were stunning, the town of Ubud fascinating, the food delicious, the people warm and embracing, the scenery indescribable  …… There were too many high points to mention, and I cannot settle on a favourite event.  This Festival was a triumph of organisation, and one which everyone should consider attending in years to come.

Vinita Ramani Mohan
I want to thank you very much for inviting me to the Festival. Being on two panels as a speaker and on two more panels as a moderator was an absolute delight. It was definitely hard work, but I met some wonderful people as a result and had many more approach me afterward to ask about the work I do, and what I write and all of this was heartening and filled me with renewed enthusiasm for what I am doing (sometimes, I lose steam and I lose will power).

In general, all my panelists were also wonderful. Arnold Zable, Clara Ng and I had a great energy and Annie was a calm, humorous and engaging moderator who kept the pace of things going beautifully. Janet Steele too, was so enthusiastic about Amir and myself that we felt a little shy that she thought so much of us (lots to live up to, haha!).

Thank you though – it was a wonderful experience and I loved being there and loved meeting new people. I am so excited that there are some remarkable Indonesian writers out there and I can’t wait to read more of their works in translation (while I make attempts to learn Bahasa ever so slowly!).

Sam Cutler
Thank you for a WONDERFUL experience at UBUD – it changed my life !

Lee Su Kim
Thanks for the wonderful hospitality and a wonderful and unforgettable time, it was such a pleasure. You and Janet and  the whole  team did a wonderful job!

Jeni Caffin, Director, Byron Bay Writers Festival
Thank you : it was a rich experience. The combination of Ubud, extraordinary writers and intellects and what is for most of us an exotic and “other” cultural milieu works its magic every time. I was very happy to be invited to moderate and enjoyed my panels greatly. Being immersed in the glorious Uma was a total joy and I checked out on 12 October, my birthday, weeping and gnashing my teeth.

Margaret Gee, Literary Agent
Want to sincerely thank you both for inviting me to this year’s fabulous festival.  I had an absolutely marvellous time, made some great connections, and just felt the entire atmosphere, spirit and energy of the festival is truly remarkable. What a great crop of presenting authors.

Janet Steele
I know that everyone who was involved with the festival as a writer had a fabulous time! I loved being at the festival.

Cathi Lewis, Australian publisher
The Festival was an incredible success! We had a ball! Thank you for the opportunity to showcase our 2 worthies in 3 sessions  this year.

Jakarta International School
I’ve heard nothing but praise for the festival from all quadrants–teachers, students, JIS parents. We really do feel privileged to be a part of something so rich.

Festival Friends

The event was a great success in spite of the many challenges – well done!

We decided at the last moment to attend the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival. Met some wonderful people and heard some stimulating ideas, both literary and political. The mood was co-operative and friendly, the organization was good [including the box office], and the scenery around Ubud is nothing short of jaw-dropping. Overall? Worth every rupiah.

We thoroughly enjoyed the Festival with its mix of literature, politics, readings, plays, music etc. etc. The conviviality of it all and the relaxed atmosphere enhanced the experience. It was not only delightful meeting the various writers but those attending [the readers], coming as they did, from different parts of the world and from diverse backgrounds.

Congratulations to all concerned with with Festival — it was a triumph, thoroughly enjoyed by all in our group. Hope to see you again next year!

I would like to say that it was a great and unforgetable event for me. Congratulations from my deepest heart.

It was a fantastic grouping of fascinating people, and the panels and various extra-curricular activities truly stimulating.