The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (UWRF) 2024 wrapped up its inspiring event from 23-27 October 2024 in Bali, centred on the theme “Satyam Vada Dharmam Chara,” which means Speak the Truth, Practice Kindness. This year, the festival brought together over two hundred sessions featuring celebrated authors, activists, filmmakers and thought leaders from across the globe.
Among the highlights was Nobel Peace Prize winner, Maria Ressa, who shared insights on resilience and truth in journalism. Through these sessions, attendees explored issues like journalism, feminism, cultural shifts and the power of storytelling to bridge global divides.
From curated dinners and cultural tours to author panels and poetry slams, the five-day festival featured a wide range of interactive events. With unique programmes like the Book Launch and Writers’ Retreat, emerging voices were also honoured, showcasing fresh talent and motivating upcoming storytellers.
One of the most talked-about sessions was “Feminism in Asia: On the Ground and on the Page,” which featured South Korean International Booker Prize nominee Bora Chung and Indonesian novelist Ayu Utami. In their discussion of feminism in Asia, the writers considered how politics and culture influence women’s voices and lives.
Another highlight was the session on “The Future of Book Bloggers,” featuring popular BookTuber Jack Edwards, who addressed how book content creators are reshaping the literary landscape. He gave attendees a glimpse into a new generation of social media-driven book culture by sharing his thoughts on the platform’s impact on publishing trends and reading habits.
Asia Dreams Volume 53
Ubud Writers and Readers Festival
(ubudwritersfestival.com)
IG: @ubudwritersfest
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