Notice regarding the cancellation of For Bali

After a series of cancellations following increased scrutiny from local authorities, the UWRF has today (30 October) confirmed a further change to the Festival program.

For Bali, a panel session focusing on the Tolak Reklamasi movement in response to a planned 700ha development on the island, will no longer be taking place at the Festival.

The cancellation comes after a further warning from local authorities that it did not meet the Festival’s mission as a cultural and artistic event.

The Festival’s Founder & Director Janet DeNeefe has been a strong supporter of the Tolak Reklamasi movement, said that the decision was deeply disturbing.

“Over the past few days, we’ve been scrambling to get back on our feet and on with the show, after having to cancel a number of sessions surrounding 1965 to ensure our Festival could go ahead,” she said.

“To now have this extended to the For Bali session at the 11th hour is not only a devastating blow to the people whose voices we were trying to leverage, but raises significant concern about just how much the local authorities want to be involved not just on the 1965 issues, but our entire program.”

The Festival has been overwhelmed by the positive response from the local and International community in recent days, which cements its role as a platform of creative and artistic expression in Indonesia.

“One thing is absolutely certain – that in trying to stop the Festival from talking about certain issues, the discussion here on the ground has only intensified and echoed across the entire world.”

Note: The For Bali session on 31 October 2:30 – 3:45pm has been replaced by Heart of the Haze, a discussion focusing on the ‘greatest environmental crime of this century,’ the fires in Indonesia’s backyard.

For more information on any of the above please contact our Festival Office.