Announcing the UWRF22 Theme: Uniting Humanity

Yayasan Mudra Swari Saraswati is proud to announce the return of the UWRF on 27-30 October 2022. Once again, writers, readers, activists, artists, and performers will converge on Ubud, Bali’s cultural highland, to engage in thought-provoking discussions on the issues that bind humanity together and, conversely, what pulls us apart.

This year’s theme is ‘Memayu Hayuning Bawana‘, an ancient Javanese philosophy that means the principles by which we care for, protect, and beautify our universe. UWRF translates this philosophy into ‘Uniting Humanity’, which will unfold as a series of programs responding to humanity’s capacity to strengthen our ties as individuals and the world collectively

Janet DeNeefe, UWRF Festival Founder and Director, is delighted to welcome visitors back to Ubud for intimate discussions from key speakers who “tell stories about themselves, their community, and their place in the universe and how these stories connect us across cultures. We are thrilled to have the UWRF 2022 festival take place in-person, where we can engage on a deeper level”.

Join us for compelling conversations between notable literary figures, emerging writers, activists, and leading journalists for discussions and workshops on unifying the delicate filaments of our cosmos. At nightfall, the UWRF evening program will ignite into a celebration with unique local and international performers representing the diversity, beauty, and resilience of our time through music, dance, and spoken word.

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Balinese artist Ni Luh Pangetsu created the artwork by combining the techniques of carving, manual colouring, and digital colouring. The ‘cukil’ trail becomes the dominant element that forms the work. The practice of carving is a meditative process that requires a high level of concentration using a knife. Intricate lines form a figure whose lifeforce is woven into the landscape to create a rich and animated realm. 

Learn more about the Artist.