Program Category: Main Program

From intimate in-conversations among leading authors, artists, thinkers, and performers, to fiery debates on some of the region’s most pressing concerns, the 20th Anniversary Main Program occurs across three stages: Alang-Alang and Valley Stage, as well as Indus Restaurant.


Main Program: The Jakarta Post: Four Decades of Telling Indonesia’s Story to the World

20 Oct 2023 14:15 /

From its founding in 1983 during the Soeharto years to the tumultuous events that led to Reformasi, and throughout the struggles and victories that have defined Indonesia’s democratic journey, The …

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Main Program | Enchanted Words: A Poetry Journey to Remember

20 Oct 2023 14:15 /

Prepare to be captivated as we present an exceptional assembly of the Festival’s brightest minds, coming together to enchant and mesmerize you with the captivating magic of poetry. Please take …

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Main Program | Crafting Captivating Landscapes

20 Oct 2023 15:30 /

Immerse yourself in the beauty of the world around you through the art of landscape writing. From lush forests to picturesque beaches, these authors will talk about their experience in …

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Main Program | In Conversation with Janet Steele: Independent Journalism in Modern Malaysia

20 Oct 2023 15:30 /

Drawing from over 15 years of comprehensive research, Janet Steele’s latest book, Malaysiakini, presents an intimate portrayal of the individuals and issues that underpin Malaysia’s sole truly independent media platform. …

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Main Program | Narrative Shaping: Past into Future

20 Oct 2023 16:45 /

Debra Dank, Anita Heiss, and Kevin Jared Hosein guide you through a journey into the realm of storytelling. Debra Dank, a distinguished Gudanji/Wakaja author and narrative performance researcher, will present …

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Main Program | Creating Complex Characters

21 Oct 2023 09:00 /

The challenge of writers creating characters beyond their personal lived experiences is complex, demanding understanding and research to steer clear of stereotypes and misrepresentations. Balancing cultural preservation with creative freedom …

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Main Program | Vandana Shiva and 50 Years of Environmental Justice

21 Oct 2023 09:00 /

Formidable Indian environmentalist Vandana Shiva will discuss her five-decade-long fight for environmental justice in India. Highly regarded, Shiva has worked tirelessly to save forests, shut down polluting mines, exposed the …

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Main Program | Exploring Islam with Muhammad Quraish Shihab: Insights into Diversity

21 Oct 2023 10:15 /

An author, academic scholar, and former Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs in the Fourth Development Cabinet in 1998, Muhammad Quraish Shihab leads the Al-Qur’an Study Center. This non-profit organization aims …

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Main Program | Southeast Asian Writers: Forging Literary Futures

21 Oct 2023 11:30 /

What is it like to be a writer of Southeast Asian heritage today, and what direction are we headed in? How can writers break into other markets? What is the …

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Main Program | Exploring Queerness in Poetry

21 Oct 2023 11:30 /

This panel explores and celebrates queer differences with poets who speak from varied perspectives. When your sexuality and gender have been sidelined from mainstream history, writing can uncover and rebuild …

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