Events & Festivals

October 23-27: the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival 2019 (often called the Ubud Writers Festival), an annual literary and artistic event held in the central Bali town of Ubud, will celebrate its 16^th year as what has become Southeast Asia’s leading festival of words and ideas.

Attracting over 150 writers, artists and performers from all over the globe, the theme of Ubud Writers and Readers Festival 2019 will be “Jagadhita”, a Balinese Hindu philosophy loosely translated as “the world we create”.

For more on this town in Central Bali, join Mark Bibby Jackson on his Bali travel adventure 20 years after his first visit.

A yearly pilgrimage for word lovers worldwide, the Ubud Writers Festival transcends cultural and physical borders, inviting both artists and audiences to enjoy and participate in public discussions, intimate literary lunches, live performances and hands-on workshops where budding writers can learn new skills and get feedback from experts.

Ubud Writers Festival origins

Brainchild of Australian-born Janet DeNeefe, the Ubud Writers Festival grew out of a healing project in response to the 2002 Bali bombings. Wanting the world to see that Bali could move on after the bombings, DeNeefe set off to develop the festival which, after starting small in 2004, has now evolved into one of the world’s most celebrated literary and artistic events.

Ubud Writers Festival: 2019 writers, artists and activists

The festival’s first lineup of 16 speakers is a powerful illustration of the event’s truly multi-cultural character. For up-to-date programme information, visit the organisers’ Program Changes page.

Ubud Writers Festival: Emerging Writers

Emerging Indonesian writers will also be presented in an anthology offering visitors a unique insight into Indonesian language, culture, history and mythology. Click here for more details of the Emerging Writers Programme.

Accommodation for the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival 2019

If you are looking for accommodation at the festival, please use our Hotel Booking Portal.

Further information on the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival 2018

The events of the festival are spread out over different venues with the main ones located on Jalan Raya Sanggingan, about five minutes from the town’s centre. Most events are ticketed while some are free. For details of ticket prices and purchases, venue location, how to get there and other festival details, visit the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival 2019 website.

Cover photo credit: Anggara Mahendra