Ubud Writers & Readers Festival Podcast

Popo Danes is a Balinese architect, who creates distinctive tropical resorts harmonious with nature and reflect Balinese aesthetics. Anneke van Waesberghe creates sustainable luxury tented villas that reflect her philosophy of sustainability. Kristine H. Harper lectures on resilient design solutions, sustainable living, reduction of consumption through design, and preservation of heritage crafts t...

Indonesia’s Komodo dragon, the world’s largest lizard, is facing extinction. Global warming, rising sea levels and human activity have shrunk their habitat on the island of Flores, making them genetically weaker and more vulnerable. Established in 2007, the Komodo Survival Programme has developed a multifaceted approach for the conservation of this iconic lizard. They discuss how they will help it...

The Committed is Viet Thanh Nguyen’s much-anticipated follow-up to the Pulitzer Prize-winning, The Sympathizer. It shows the United States of America and France through the eyes of a Vietnamese refugee. He is joined by an award-winning Vietnamese author, Nguyen Phan Que Mai, to discuss the Vietnam War’s narrative, the meaning of being a refugee, and ways to deal with displacement.

In Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment, Ahmet T. Kuru argues that Muslims were philosophically and socioeconomically more developed than Western Europeans between the 9th to twelfth centuries. So, why do Muslim-majority countries now exhibit high levels of authoritarianism and low levels of socio-economic development in comparison to world averages? Ahmet speaks to Janet Steele about how...

Since the pre-colonial era, Ubud has been an oasis of rich artistic expression and creativity. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to bring changes to various aspects of local life. At a time when Ubud is quiet and most businesses are closed, we reflect on what has happened and how do we rise to the challenge? What will post-covid Ubud look like?

History often becomes the inspiration for multiple literary works. Interpretation of events, along with mixing facts and fiction to compose new stories, become a challenging playroom for writers. Listen to Vanni Puccioni’s incredible story of South Nias in the past. Joining him are Lala Bohan and Lara Nuberd, who will also share chronicles of colonial history in Indonesia.

Mental health issues do not get the same attention and understanding as other health issues. They are often considered as individual problems, and not a cultural and social effect. Those who struggle with mental health issues also face various negative stigmas. Hear how creators and writers attempt to voice the importance of addressing mental health issues through their writings.

“Life here is poetry blown into pieces and scattered all over the place.” Join Mohammed Moussa as he speaks about life in Gaza, his motivation for founding the Gaza Poets Society and his debut poetry collection, Flamingo. Why is poetry so important and what can be gained from creating a spoken word community?

In The Carrying, Ada Limón “does not ignore the world’s cruelties but tries not to be held hostage by them,” according to the Guardian. The collection of poems captures ambiguous moments between the rapture of youth and the grace of acceptance. Join her in conversation with Cynthia Dewi Oka as she explores what it means to live in an imperfect world.

From Toili, an area in Banggai Regency, Central Sulawesi, Eva Bande echoed the call for environmental concern and welfare of farmers as they were increasingly being eroded by the exploitative interests of palm oil companies. Listen to her story, the reason she started this path of struggle and how she is determined to survive alongside the marginalized, defending their land.

George Quinn’s Wali Berandal Tanah Jawa presents a stunning portrait of Islam in Java; a phenomenon that often gone unnoticed by journalists, scientists, and tourists. Join him as he dives deep beneath the surface of modern Indonesia, exploring the personalities and stories of the magical world of local pilgrimages, where Middle Eastern Islam grapples with the ancient powers of Javanese civilizati...

What happens to wildlife when humans have retreated to certain places because of conflict or disaster? Cal Flyn’s Islands on Abandonment brings together some of the most desolate ghost towns and exclusion zones around the world and shows how, against all odds, they offer our best opportunities for environmental recovery. Listen to her take on how nature can reclaim its place.

Mulat Sarira is a Balinese philosophy that invites us to reflect on various aspects of ourselves and broader humanity, such as our relationship with the environment, society and the spiritual. It becomes a symbol of knowledge and philosophy. This panel will share more about this year’s theme, framed in reflective dialogue to interpret the changing role of literature in today’s society.

In his recent book “Chiribiquete: The Cosmic Maloka of the Jaguar Men”, Carlos Castano-Uribe shares his research of more than 30 years of the Chiribiquete National Park, a biodiversity hotspot and site of major cave paintings in the Colombian Amazon. Considered an important part of Colombian cultural heritage he states that ‘if there is a place where mystery and hope make up the same word, it is C...

The freedom of gender expression and fluidity continues to face challenges throughout times. Art and literature is widely considered as moderate fluid spaces that create spaces for openness to the issue of gender flexibility. Two authors, Stebby Julionatan and Hendri Yulius will dissect the journey of Indonesian literature that accommodates the expressions of marginalized writers.

Elora Hardy is the creative genius behind IBUKU, an architectural company that constructs breath-taking bamboo structures. Arief Rabik is the force behind Indonesia’s Environmental Bamboo Foundation and the founder of the 1000 Bamboo Villages project. Meet these young changemakers who are paving the way to a greener world in conversation with Gill Westerway.

Described as a unique, brave piece of work that speaks to our world at this time, Laura Jean Mackay’s award-winning novel, The Animals in That Country, takes us on an extraordinary journey of speculative fiction, where victims of a flu-like pandemic develop the ability to communicate with animals. How important is our unique bond with the animal world?

In Our Final Warning, Mark Lynas explores the course we have set for Earth over the next century and beyond. He delivers a vital account of the likely consequences of global heating and the ensuing climate catastrophe. Is time is running out and what will happen if we fail to save our planet? Listen to his comprehensive researches and experiences.

As one of the most fearless defenders of Balinese culture and people, designer Niluh Djelantik is on a mission to build better tourism in the island post-pandemic. She has been actively supporting small and medium enterprises across Bali. Join her with Janet DeNeefe as she speaks about the potential sustainable reboot for the travel industry to create a better normal for Bali’s tourism.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the creative behaviour of artists, including writers and readers. Digital-based writing media are increasingly emerging, as is the presence of literacy appreciation activities in cyberspace. Everything can be an opportunity as well as a challenge. Raisa Kamila, Kadek Sonia Piscayanti, and Liswindo will discuss how writers respond to this reality, especially in the...

Irrealis moods are not about the present, past, or future, they are about what might and could have been but never was. In his latest work, Homo Irrealis, André Aciman explores what time means to artists who cannot grasp life in the present. Join his conversation with Michael Vatikiotis to talk about the power of imagination.

The literary ecosystem changes over tie, especially during the pandemic, where literary pages were reduced in the media. Listen to three poets across generations: Joko Pinurbo, Ni Wayan Idayati, and Gody Usnaat share their diverse creative processes. Join them as they show how poetry is able to live across generations.

In the midst of accelerating the flow of information, there are still barriers that hinder our understanding of humanity. In the patriarchal socio-cultural system, women are one of the groups affected by this intertwining of issues. Hear the stories of women writers, Kalis Mardiasih, R. Valentina Sagala, and Intan Andari, who went beyond the barriers and reflect on true inclusivity.

In his latest book, Joseph Conrad’s Eastern Voyages, Ian Burnet shares his account of Joseph Conrad’s adventure in Singapore and East Borneo River where his first books are all set. Ian speaks to Virania Munaf about Conrad’s life as a sailor, his stories on the high seas and his legacy to literature.

Set during the gold-rush era in Australia, Stone Sky Gold Mountain is a poignant novel full of unforgettable characters that deal with issues of identity, belonging, racism, and sexual violence. Join Mirandi Riwoe as she shares a heart-breaking and universal story about the exiled and displaced, about those who encounter discrimination and yearn for acceptance.