Each year, the Yayasan Mudra Swari Saraswati puts a call out to emerging writers from across Indonesia: send us your stories and you could find yourself joining some of the world’s most talented authors at the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival.
After a 6-month campaign, we’re proud to announce the 16 talented authors who will be flown from across the archipelago to participate in Southeast Asia’s most celebrated literary event from 26–30 October.
The independent curatorial team received a record number of submissions in 2016, including entries from 894 writers across 201 cities and 33 provinces. This is a significant increase from 595 submissions in 2015, evidence of Indonesia’s flourishing creativity.
“As a Yayasan, one of our missions in hosting the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival each year is to create pathways for young Indonesians to pursue a career in literature and the arts,” said Founder & Director Janet DeNeefe. “Bringing together 16 emerging young writers, connecting them with the global literary industry, and showcasing their talent to the world, is one of the most rewarding things we do as a Festival.”
Not only will the 16 emerging writers take part in the UWRF program, their works will also be translated into English and published as part of the Yayasan’s anthology series, now in its eighth edition. The book will be launched at the Festival and will be available for purchase by audiences estimated to reach up to 30,000 this year.
Although labelled as ‘emerging’, the talent of the 16 selected writers is finely honed, said member of the independent curatorial board and celebrated Indonesian author, Seno Gumira Ajidarma.
“This year’s selection proves that the work of emerging writers isn’t always raw, and is in fact very impressive in comparison with some of Indonesia’s most established authors,” he said. “This is evidence that skilled writers in Indonesia don’t always have the pathways to pursue writing as a career option, something the Yayasan Mudra Swari Saraswati is helping to change.”
The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival would like to extend a big congratulations to the following winners:
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