Volunteer applications for the UWRF16 now open

Each year, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival is delivered with the support of an extensive network of Indonesian and international volunteers. Last year, we welcomed almost 250 people from all corners of the globe to help with everything from audio production to getting our writers from A to B.

Volunteer applications for this year’s Festival are now open, with all the information you need via the Volunteer page. If you’d like to know more about what it’s like to be a part of our Festival family, we have a chat with one of our longest-running volunteers, Chriswan Sungkono, about what keeps bringing him back year after year.

How many years have you been volunteering with the UWRF now?
This will be my ninth consecutive year volunteering with the UWRF.

What keeps bringing you back each year?
The totally irreplaceable and extraordinary atmosphere that is born out of a mad vortex of wild, brave ideas being discussed, and the warm, often explosive camaraderie among strangers who in such a short time would become dear friends–that is for me truly the festival’s irresistible magnet.

What kind of things do you do in your role as a volunteer?
My main duty year in, year out, has mainly been manning the media centre. In recent years I have been entrusted to manage other volunteers at the media centre. My main off-the-books activity however has been fixing things, mostly computer- & networking-related issues, and handing out culinary recommendations to journalists and writers alike.

What’s your favourite part about being a volunteer?
Meeting new people, listening to them expressing what crazy stories they have in mind.

Have you got any advice that you’d give to someone thinking about volunteering?
If you don’t want to change your life for the wilder, better don’t bother doing it.