A global gathering of minds and stories in a vibrant realm of creativity, reflection, and limitless imagination

The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (UWRF), one of the largest literary events in Southeast Asia, will return from October 29 to November 2, 2025, in Ubud, Bali. Now entering its 22nd year, the festival continues to be a meeting point for ideas, culture, and imagination. This year, it carries the theme Aham Brahmasmi, a Sanskrit concept meaning I Am the Universe.

The theme invites writers, poets, journalists, and thinkers from around the world to reflect on humanity’s place in the universe during this era of transformation. According to Janet DeNeefe, Founder and Director of UWRF, the theme was inspired by the realization that humans are an inseparable part of the cosmos. This year, UWRF will present around 200 programs designed to encourage cross-cultural dialogue, inspire change, and strengthen global connections through literature and fresh ideas. More than 200 writers and cultural figures from around the world will gather to share their perspectives and experiences.

Among the distinguished guests are Banu Mushtaq, an Indian writer and women’s rights activist who won the International Booker Prize 2025 for her debut short story collection Heart Lamp; Jenny Erpenbeck, the German novelist and 2024 Booker Prize winner; Omar El Akkad, the Egyptian-Canadian author; Shiori Itō, a Japanese journalist and #MeToo advocate; and prominent historians David Van Reybrouck and William Dalrymple.

From Indonesia, the festival will feature renowned authors including Leila S. Chudori, Dee Lestari, Okky Madasari, and Sasti Gotama, the 2025 Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa winner. UWRF will also honor the legendary poet and writer Taufiq Ismail with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his remarkable contribution to Indonesian literature.

An initiative by Yayasan Mudra Swari Saraswati, UWRF is not only a celebration of literature but also a platform for developing emerging writers through the Emerging Writers program. Since 2008, the program has published 17 anthologies featuring works by 196 writers from across Indonesia. Last year, selected participants received mentorship from celebrated authors such as Dee Lestari, Faisal Oddang, and Putu Juli Sastrawan, and were featured at major festivals including IdeaFest and the Emerging Writers’ Festival Australia.

With its enduring spirit of openness and diversity, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2025 once again offers a space to ignite ideas, encourage dialogue, and connect the universe through the power of words. It is a celebration where literature is not only read but also felt and experienced as an integral part of the world we share.

photo source: instagram.com/ubudwritersfest

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