This October, the Festival will welcome more than 180 brilliant writers, performers, artists, musicians and visionaries to the magical setting of Ubud, to speak across all forms of storytelling – from travel writing to songwriting, plays, poetry, comedy and graphic novels.
Joining the line-up – and in his first Festival appearance in the region – is bestselling UK author Sebastian Faulks (Birdsong, A Possible Life), Lionel Shriver (We Need to Talk about Kevin), publishing entrepreneur and Lonely Planet co-founder Tony Wheeler, legendary Australian cartoonist Michael Leunig will make an appearance and Festival favourite Richard Flanagan will return. The Festival will also welcome 2013 Man Booker long-listed authors Ruth Ozeki (A Tale for the Time Being) and Tash Aw (Five Star Billionaire) as well as India’s first literary 'popstar’ Amish Tripathi. Other international guests include David Vann (Legend of a Suicide), two-time Miles Franklin winner Kim Scott (That Deadman Dance), American talent Nami Mun, and one of France’s most prolific writers Alain Mabanckou.
The 2013 Festival will also celebrate dangerous ideas and the lengths that writers are prepared to go for their beliefs. Mexican journalist Lydia Cacho is an internationally awarded writer who has endured torture, rape and incarceration for exposing politicians involved in international child sex-trafficking networks. Together with Egypt’s progressive female thinker Mona Princeand and Indonesia’s leading expert on the jihad movement, Solahudin, these writers join with former Sinn Féin director of publicity Danny Morrison in what is sure to be a compelling session about dangerous ideas and how to communicate them.
Along with the 75 panel discussions of the main program held daily at the Festival’s three main venues, more than 40 other venues across Ubud will play host to special events. The full program will see 18 book launches, 15 literary workshops, 16 special events and 6 film screenings. Free children’s and youth programs including a special workshop with bestselling children’s book writer Morris Gleitzman will engage visitors of all ages.
Over the five days and nights, Ubud will come alive with a live music and performances, food and art markets and parties that run late into the night. Special highlights will include a tribute night to Kartini, the now infamous UWRF Poetry Slam, a new Twilight Festival with music and drinks overlooking Ubud’s stunning panoramas, The Kitchen with daily cooking demonstrations from Indonesia’s top chefs, a Street Party showcasing Balinese dance and music, and the free Closing Night Party at Blanco Renaissance Museum.