Festival Feedback

I owe you all a debt I can never repay, for the memories will last forever.
Gerrie Lim, Guest Writer, USA/ Hong Kong

It was truly a meeting of minds and words and I am grateful and honoured for the opportunity to have been in the midst of such literary brilliance.
Bernice Chauly, Guest Writer, Malaysia

I feel that I have already known Paradise.
Imran Ahmad, Guest Writer, Pakistan/ Uk

It was absolutely wonderful. In terms of speakers, it was one of the most interesting festivals I have been to … a magnificent festival to celebrate the literature of the world.
Alexis Wright, Guest Writer, Australia

A superlative event. I heard rave reviews from many people who attended. It continues to blow my mind that the Festival is still in its infancy, given how sophisticated and well-organized it is. What a huge undertaking, and what a boost for Bali.
Carol Bujeau, Moderator, Canada

A really wonderful festival. I had a fantastic time and it was truly inspirational to meet so many interesting people from around the world. It is so important to hear the perspective of people from other countries, and a festival such as yours really brings people together and encourages diverse discussions. It’s enlightening and rewarding for us all.
Lucy Malouf, Guest Writer, Australia

What a wonderful event. Such an incredible range of fascinating people and books and all taking place in such an idyllic setting… It doesn’t get any better than this.
Michael Gerard Bauer, Guest Writer, Australia

I loved it very, very much. It was brilliant hearing so many voices from so many different parts of the world.
Deepika Shetty, Channel News Asia, Singapore

The programme was jammed with enticing events. Cross- cultural conduits that opened up for me not only enlarged my perspective during the festival but promise to keep information and inspiration flowing…. A superb experience. I left the festival mentally nurtured, aesthetically delighted, spiritually enriched and creatively inspired.
Edwina Blush, Guest Writer, Australia

What a rich one it was. It was a matter of interaction: with the other authors who made up the panels, between authors and the audiences and the lively, informal discussions with members of the audiences which inevitably took place at the end of each session.
Cameron Forbes, Guest Writer, Australia

The warm hospitality was superb, the discussions stimulating, the workshops top-notch, and the entertainment fabulous. Balinese charm and grace gave the festival a unique atmosphere that will stay in my memory for a long time.
Jean Bennett, Guest Writer, NZ

The festival was the best I’ve ever been, not least because I thought it was so very well organized, and I found the panel discussions very stimulating, both from the receiving as well as the giving end. I was especially struck by the genuine modesty of the writers–it seemed that the more successful they were, the more humble.
Rosario Cruz Lucero, Guest Writer, Philippines

The festival was wonderful, and superbly organized. I was particularly impressed by the whole writers AND readers thing. One without the other is one hand clapping.
Kam Raslan, Guest Writer, Malaysia

I have had the most wonderful experience. It was so obvious to me how much effort was put into making this event so worthwhile and so nurturing. It is an experience I shall always remember… the magic of Bali lingers on in my soul and I think I shall find my way back in the near future.
Somaya Ramadan, Guest Writer, Egypt

The festival was the best I have been to anywhere in the world–an opinion shared by many I met. It escaped the colonial snobberies and absurdities so sadly on display in Australian festivals and was, at its best, an extraordinary bridge between east and west , Muslim and Western, in the most exotic setting, and huge fun to boot. One night an Egyptian poetess sang love songs in Arabic and a Turkish novelist did the most exquisite belly dance. Did one session with the Balinese master of black magic who fought the Indonesian government over censorship, after they sought to ban Playboy whose offices were moved to his home in Bali. Met Philipino novelists who had been jailed, Aceh poets who had been active in their revolt and watched the grand final in a bar with several crazed escapees from mid-period Graham Greene novels. Their could be no better answer by the Balinese to the horror of the bombings. Nothing was everyday, everything was joyful, and nobody remained unmoved.
Richard Flanagan, Guest Writer, Australia

The Festival was a delight. A great line-up of people, fresh and mixed and full of surprises. The talk was good. The ceremony and hospitality were enchanting. And it was all very relaxed and mellow while also being utterly professional and well-organised. I was also impressed by the awareness of the Festival and support among the people of Ubud I met. That is quite special. look forward to following up on some of the contacts I made and, if I am lucky, returning one day.
Nicholas Jose, Guest Writer, Australia

I just wanted to write and thank you for everything. I had such a wonderful time in Ubud, and the festival was amazing. I don’t know how you managed to keep all the million and one details in your head! For me, all of it was an unforgettable experience.
Madeleine Thien, Guest Writer, Canada

Thanks so much for the Ubud experience. Just got back in Manila and I have to say that I really had a blast. Kudos to you for all your hard work, paying off to a fun and diverse set of sessions and activities for everyone. It was really a memorable stay.
Gelo Suarez, Guest Writer, Philippines

The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2007 has been to me a most enjoyable and stimulating experience. Apart from the beautiful lush setting of Bali, I was delighted with the friendly, enthusiastic audience and the writers representing a wide range of experiences and talents. I would like to thank the sponsors and the organisers for a job well done.
Catherine Lim, Guest Writer, Singapore

Thank you so very much for including me in this year’s festival at Ubud. I had the MOST wonderful time, came away with a bag stuffed with books by wonderful authors – all new to me, and of course fell completely in love with Bali. This is what book festivals should be and so rarely are: a chance for writers and readers alike to have their horizons broadened and bookshelves restocked. I left with several invitations – to Beijing, to Byron Bay, to Kuala Lumpur, to Singapore – and with some guilt at my ignorance of what a big English language readership exists and thrives in Asia.
Patrick Gale, Guest Writer, UK

I had the most glorious, glorious time and thought everything was BEAUTIFULLY arranged. I have come back singing its praises to writer friends.
Jill Dawson, Guest Writer, UK

Yesterday I talked to Sema. She came back with wonderful impressions about your country, your island, and the whole festival organization. I would like to thank to you and to all persons who organized the festival for all of your efforts.
Yesim Vesper, Guest Writer, Turkey

Thank you for all support for Indonesian writers, especially myself at Ubud Writers and Readers Festival 2007. I hope our kind relation will continue in the future.
Ratih Kumala, Guest Writer, Indonesia

http://readatpeace.blogspot.com/2007/10/back-n-battling.html

Here’s the start of many posts. Had an absolutely fantastic time at the festival. Thank you ever so much for having me back.
It was lovely to see all of you a little relaxed this time round. I know everyone who was there will remember this fest forever. Hope all of you are getting some rest now and putting your feet up finally. Congratulations and here’s to another festival splendidly done.
Deepika Shetty, Channel News Asia, Sigapore

Just back to a dry and dusty Sydney day, temperatures soaring and plants panting.
Warm, moist Bali air seems a dream! Whad a marvelous time. Thank you so much and congratulations to you for a magnificent achievement. It was spectacular and a wonderful event.
Joanna Savill, Guest Writer, Australia

Thank you for making the visit to the Ubud Writers’ Festival so enjoyable and memorable. Everything was perfect and the energy of the place was amazing. It was obvious that you and your team had worked your behinds off!
Tan Twan Eng, Guest Writer, Malaysia

Have just arrived back in Delhi and wanted immediately to thank you for a fantastic week in Ubud. The place is of course enchanting, but you also created a wonderful environment for conversation and thought, and I had some great encounters with people. My panels were very interesting, and I particularly loved the long, langourous coffee morning I did at Three Monkeys Cafe. Thanks again for a wonderfully organised festival, and for a truly fantastic and stimulating week. Am so charged to get back to my novel!
Rana Dasgupta, Guest Writer, India

Thanks ever so much for a wonderful Festival! It was the most dense and loose time I’ve had in ages; so much to do, so little time and yet a sense that there was all the time in the world. I loved meeting the people, even if only briefly sometimes, superstars and common meteors. And there was also the first time experience of having a work of mine interpreted on stage by an Indonesian theatre company. That was amazing. All your hard work and what an achievement in just four years. I hope the continuity will be smooth and sponsors in the future ever more generous.
Ann Lee, Guest Writer, Malaysia

I’m back in Manila with an Ubud hangover, and not just from the beer and the coconut wine! I want to thank you for the wonderful job you and your staff did in making the writers’ festival both a learning experience and a holiday (for body and soul).
Ed Maranan, Guest Writer, Philippines

Thank you for a wonderful Festival! What a joyous program and I fell in love six times a day with words and writing! Shashi Tharoor is my new pin up boy and Richard Flanagan was an absolute star. So many powerful voices and so many books weighing down my suitcase.
Jeni Caffin, Director Byron Bay Writers’ Festival, Australia

Thank you for putting together such a wonderful program. My first time in Bali. Came just for the festival. It was worth it. Will be back next year -god willing!
Gloria Caruso, Reader

Congratulations on completing another year of the UWRF, and I hope that the 2007 version has provided lots of memorable moments, and enthusiastic local response & participation. For an event that is so young, your line-up defies conventional logic. So, another well-done. Also love the special issue of the Asian Literary Review that you tied-in…..I guess that you now need a long rest to recover from the frenetic activity of the last 11 months…….but that planning for 2008 begins anew. Enjoy the moment, and well-done again.
Christopher Oram, Literary Agent, UK

It’s been a pleasure for us as well to work together with the UWRF and hopefully we could continue some more fruitful co-operations next time.
Tessa, Periplus Bookstores

From all accounts I have heard the festival was a great success and you should all be congratulated on a job well done. For the UWRF 2008 I wish to assure you Maya Ubud Resort & Spa would again like to be a sponsor of the event and will offer the same level of sponsorship that we extended this year. Just let me know in due course if we can assist further.
Paul Blake, General Manager, Maya Ubud Resort & Spa

It is an honor and a proactive social/community responsibility to be associated with the festival. We are Bali and Bali is the festival.
John O’Sullivan, General Manager, Four Seasons Bali

I am very happy with the successful organization of Ubud Writers Festival. I congratulate you and convey my best wishes for the next year.
Aydin Evirgen, Turkish Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Turkey

My husband, daughter, and I enjoyed the festival tremendously, and we are still talking about it to this day. We bored our relatives silly during the Idul Fitri celebrations relating to them over and over what we considered the many highlights of the four days we were in Ubud.
Debra Yatim, Guest Writer, Indonesia

The Festival was very interesting because you got to hear published authors and I think that is inspiring. It was fun, the panelists had a great sense of humour and what they said made us laugh and think seriously about it. It made us more attracted to writing. Even as a teenager this festival was interesting to attend. We’re looking forward to coming next year.
Monica, Reader

This is the first time I attend this festival. I’m very excited by it and looking forward to seeing it again next year. It has really encouraged me to become a ‘real writer’. See you next year!
Dina, Reader

Thank you for the extraordinary opportunity to experience the writing life of these charming, talented authors. This was like being in the author’s pocket. The Festival also gave me the chance to meet people from all over the world – the only real way to world harmony.
Bonita Malone, Reader

As a volunteer, this is my third time supporting the committee. It’s great to be in Ubud and also meeting great writers at the Festival. I also enjoy absorbing new thoughts and experiences from the people around the Festival. This festival is so inspiring.
Ita Siregar, Volunteer

We had a ball! And cannot wait to come back – in fact we have already arranged a trip to write an article for the Sunday Times so will be back in Ubud before very long. But it was a great festival and we both totally fell in love with the place.
William Darymple, Guest Writer, UK/India

I want to offer sincere thanks for your splendid work for the festival, for your support, your poise and your good sense. I must say the Ubud festival was heartwarming in a way I had not anticipated.
Gail Jones, Guest Writer, Australia

Just want to say thanks for having invited me and well done! It was such a superbly organised festival. You should be proud of yourselves.
Laksmi Pamuntjak, Guest Writer, Indonesia

I thank you again and again for the invitation to participate in the excellent organized 3d Ubud International Writers Festival, moreover for the most friendly reception during my whole stay at Ubud.
Joesoef Isak, Guest Speaker, Indonesia

I am so deeply grateful that I was invited to the festival. I have never had any interaction with people connected to literature. My world of flying aeroplanes and working with the poor had no windows for writing and readings. This then in Ubud was such a welcome change. Please accept our heartfelt gratitude for exposing us to such a wonderful event. I do not write this in flattery but in absolute sincerity.
Elmo Jayawardena, Guest Writer, Sri Lanka

It was a great pleasure to be involved in the festival, and it will be difficult to be involved with any other for some time. All my memories of the food, the rich and multi-cultural discourse, the dancing, the music, the incense, the gecko-calls, the penjar, the snorkelling (I could go on) will have to be given a bit of time and space…Otherwise I am afraid any upcoming festivals may just pale in comparison.
Hinemoana Baker, Guest Writer, New Zealand

Well done ; another great event and another big pull for Ubud!!! Thank you, thank you and thank you!
Liv Gussing, General Manager, Amandari Resort

I would like on behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to express our gratitude and high appreciation to Saraswati Foundation for the Arts and to everyone involved in making this year’s festival a great success.
Sapta Nirwandar, Secretary General, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Indonesia

I am really inspired as a reader now! I do hope the organizers take up my suggestion for more bookclub sessions. Having an active discussion of people who have read the book with the author was a great treat. Not to mention that Kunal was a great speaker.
Denise Abe, Proprieter, Three Monkeys Restaurant, Ubud

Thanks for a fabulous festival – one of the most enjoyable I have ever been to, anywhere! You should be so proud. It was really amazing.
Soo Jung, General Manager of the Man Hong Kong Literary Festival

“The Festival was amazing, you deserve buckets of accolades. Thanks so much for letting me be part of it. I loved every minute, and it was a real privilege. Thanks too for helping me put together the group visit they all enjoyed it so much. I imagine next year half of Byron Bay will be there! It has been such a joy seeing the Ubud Festival go from strength to strength. One of the most rewarding things in my role here as Director has been the connection with your Festival, now I will just have to make sure I work out something for next year that will mean I can still be there.”
Jill Eddington, Former Director of the Byron Bay Writers Festival