Virginia Helzainka


Country: Indonesia

Virginia Helzainka is a Co-Founder of Unspoken – Bali Poetry Slam, an initiative that conducts workshops and poetry slams every 2-3 months throughout the year. This endeavor collaborates closely with Bali’s local art, theater, and youth communities. In 2017, she authored the poetry collection Cocktail, Waves & Archer, published under Mahima Institute Indonesia. An active participant in the queer movement, Virginia is also associated with the Queer Language Club. Notably, she presented Speak The Unspoken – a Queer Poetry Reading during the ASEAN Sogie Caucus in 2021.

Virginia Helzainka adalah salah satu pendiri Unspoken – Bali Poetry Slam, sebuah upaya yang mengadakan lokakarya puisi dan poetry slam setiap 2-3 bulan sepanjang tahunnya. Upaya ini bekerja erat dengan seni, teater dan komunitas pemuda Bali. Pada 2017, ia menulis kumpulan puisi Cocktail, Waves & Archer, yang diterbitkan oleh Mahima Institute Indonesia. Seorang partisipan aktif dalam gerakan queer, Virginia juga terlibat dengan Queer Language Club. Hebatnya, ia juga hadir untuk menampilkan Speak the Unspoken – a Queer Poetry Reading di ASEAN Sogie Caucus pada 2021.

Appearing in

Main Program | Exploring Queerness in Poetry

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 …


Special Event | Writers Speak, Cocktails Flow, Stories Glow

Join our special after-hours readings featuring the stories and poetry of talented young Indonesian writers at KAWI UBUD, the village’s hippest, mood-lit bar. Enjoy refreshing highballs and cocktails made with …


Music & Performances | 2023 Festival Poetry Slam

Be a part of the annual Poetry Slam, one of the Festival’s most electrifying events. From global poets to local sensations, who will captivate the crowd? In this event, we …