As Bali’s cultural heartland, it’s no surprise Ubud comes into its own with an array of exciting music acts, performances, and art happenings.
With famed Indonesian crooners, Dayak tribal leaders and illustrious artists, this year the UWRF Arts Program has something for everyone. With a particular focus on the cultural richness and diversity of the Indonesian archipelago, the free arts events provide the perfect opportunity to discover hidden talent and new favourites, all against stunning Ubud backdrops.
To help prepare your arts-soaked evenings, we’ve prepared an at-a-glance schedule (above), and some teasers from the events below.
Prepare to be truly startled by Goenawan Mohamad’s multi-layered homage to to Don Quixote. The production, supported by Embajada de España and Aula Cervantes, uses voice, live original music and art in an unmissable exploration of the essence of being human. Please note: We recommend arriving early to secure your seat. The show requires a silent audience and the room will be entirely blacked out for the first five minutes, so late entries won’t be admitted.
Here’s your chance to journey 2000km and discover Maluku for yourself, from the comfort of your picnic rug via the screening of much-loved soccer flick We Are Moluccans. Then go behind the scenes with Indonesian R&B crooner Glenn Fredly (who also produced) and scriptwriter M. Irfan Ramli, followed by a musical treat courtesy of Gde Robi Supriyanto.
What is Pecha Kucha? Well, this video explains it all.
For more on the incredible line-up slated for the evening – including TED Talk sensation Hyeonseo Lee (below) – have a peep at our co-presenters Hubud’s Facebook event page, where they have been releasing helpful teasers.
Enjoy two deeply moving and visually stunning films, Long Sa’an and Janggan, followed by the sunshiney sounds of Dialog Dini Hari. It doesn’t get much better than that…
Things are bound to get dirty in this epic poetry battle so be ready to cheer and bluster as world writers go head to head. Hosted by the Australian Slam Poetry Winner Zohab Khan, he’s also likely to prove his mettle with a slam or two. Here’s a byte…
Stop by the Handmade DIY & Zine Fair to see what the brightest creative talents from Bali and beyond are currently working on. Illustrators, DIY publishers, artists, and creatives making things by hand are also welcome to join this Fair, in addition to the invited UWRF artist list (more here).
Don’t miss the show and tell of select works from 4pm – 5pm, followed by the launch of the English translation of Peter van Dongen‘s comic Rampokan.
Your chance to hear of centuries of rich cultural interaction between India and Indonesia from the Indian Ambassador himself, as he discusses his book Masala Bumbu along with key speakers Raj Kamal Jha, Made Bandem, Endy Bayuni, Rio Helmi and Deepika Shetty. This event was supported by the Embassy of India in Jakarta on the occasion of Sahabat India.
Definitely not an opportunity to be missed – as twilight sets in, hear Borneo’s story told through ancient storytelling techniques by Dayak Kenyah and Benuaq tribe elders.
Singing in the Manggarai language of Flores, ethnic-jazz fusion singer Ivan Nestorman and his troupe will be presenting folk songs from across the archipelago, freshly arranged for this evening alone. If you’re a music-lover or fascinated by Indonesian cultural heritage then this is definitely the event for you.
Last but not least, the Closing Night Party is an annual and much-loved UWRF tradition, offering up ample doses of festivity, dancing and vibed-up music. Tah Riq, Mataijwa and more will spin sounds against a night sky, for the enjoyment of fire twirlers and festivalgoers alike.
The UWRF Arts Program is free although donations are welcome. Plan ahead and find more information here.
We’re excited to introduce Laksmi DeNeefe Suardana as the official Ambassador of Yayasan Mudra Swari Saraswati, the driving force behind the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival and the Ubud Food …
In the lead-up to this year’s Festival, our new Head of International Programming, Hannah Curtis, sat down with us to talk about her new position, the aspirations for the future …
Sister festival:
