News

International Program

Program News

Following on from breaking news, despite the withdrawal of Citibank, the Festival’s 2010 major cash sponsor, the Festival will go on! UWRF vows to present yet another world-class dynamic event for which we are famous. Festival Founder and Director Janet De Neefe stated, “We are more committed than ever, and 2011 is shaping up to be a stunning program of some of the world’s most inspiring authors”.

The Festival is made possible by the support of everyone involved. This includes our sponsors, our advertisers, our staff, and the readers and writers. The overwhelming support from readers and writers has given a huge surge of optimism to the Festival team with the Balinese community showing its commitment to this valuable and beloved event. There will be plenty of surprises in store including even more performances, debates, discussions and celebrations. We thank those sponsors who have remained loyal supporters and more than ever, we need your assistance, the reader, to help us continue our mission in bringing the voices of the world to Indonesia to promote literature, understandingand shared humanity.

With over Confirmed 120 confirmed authors, Festival goers can expect to be treated to authors including; Alexander McCall Smith, Alice Sebold, Alberto Manquel, DBC Pierre, Junot Diaz, Paul Kelly, Professor Tim Flannery, Alex Miller, Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish, Andrea Hirata, Tariq Ali, Glen David Gold, Trinity (the naked traveler), Benjamin Law, Putu Wijaya, Juan Gabriel Vasquez, Corinne Grant, Peta Mathias and the Cambodian Space Project. Panel sessions, workshops, readings, literary lunches, performances, book launches, exhibitions, a free children’s program, cocktail parties, slams, special events and much more will be presented around Ubud and beyond using venues from legendary hotels and charming cafes, to spectacular rice fields, temples and village streets.

There are also opportunities to volunteer on the Festival and get more involved in behind the scenes action. For more information about volunteering you can visit our website to register interest. Also, t he full program of writers will be announced in August, and to keep posted of Festival developments subscribe to the newsletter at: info@ubudwritersfestival.com or visit www.ubudwritersfestival.com for all updates and ticket details. Regular updates are also available through twitter and facebook.

Indonesian Program

July is the month of lobbying and e-mailing for the Indonesian program as we start approaching and convincing the big names to attend the Festival. At least three established Indonesian authors will be invited to the upcoming feast. On the top of the list is Putu Wijaya, Bali’s own dramatist, who with his troupe Teater Mandiri shocked the nation with their visually captivating and aesthetically stunning performances.

Mixing satirical humors with philosophically-laden questions on life and existence in his short stories and essays he has charmed generations of Indonesian writers. Another name on the list is Sindhunata, a Jesuit priest cum soccer commentator par excellence, whose novel Anak Bajang Menggiring Angin (1983), inspired by Javanese’s Kakawin Ramayana, set a literary benchmark for its powerful poetical quality. The last name is Andrea Hirata, the author of the best-selling novel Laskar Pelangi.

On the other side, all the 15 selected Indonesian writers had sent their selected works to the Festival committee and the members of the translation team are racing with time to finish the translation in time for the publication of the Festival’s annual anthology. One member of the team, Dr. Tom
Hunter is in the middle of the exhausting process of relocating to the U.S., where he would teach at Berkeley, yet it doesn’t quell his passion to assist the Festival. Suksma Pak Tom!

The Children’s & Youth Program

The Children’s and Youth Program has concocted an array of fun and creative program for the younger participants of the Festival, bringing six Indonesian authors aboard for the mission.

Author of children book Dongeng Sekolah Tebing, Clara Ng will introduce the joy of writing to the participating children while folklore writer Alan Malingi will guide them into the fantasy land of Indonesia traditional folklores.

The fun will not stop there. For the children who always yearn for the freedom of the outdoor, author Jaladara will take them in a stroll along Ubud’s historical places and cultural attractions. Along the way, they would learn the craft of travel writing.

In another mind-opening workshop, journalist cum creative writer Sandy Firly will teach the children the ways to transform observation and facts into a touching journalistic piece. Painter and author Satrio Wibowo will guide the children on how to release their imagination as well as on how to get that imagination published.

Volunteer

People love volunteering for the UWRF!
That was our conclusion on our first day in the office to coordinate this year's crew; and found almost a third of the number we need already queuing in the Inbox to commit themselves to the cause!

So the word on the Jalan is.. don't delay! If you want to be part of the early rising, late partying, camaraderie, fun and cultural connectivity of volunteering, head to www.ubudwritersfestival.com and click on Get Involved.

There's information there about the requirements and conditions of various roles- from AudioVisual Assistants to Writer Liaison. We'll be placing the most appropriate applicants in each area from August. Then working on support materials and briefings to help our Volunteers give the best possible service, and have the best possible time, at this year's UWRF.

See you there!