Ubud readers and Writers Festival opened for the tenth year, October 11 with an all female gamelan orchestra. The theme, "Through Darkness to Light" is inspired by the work of Raden Ayu Kartini, a national heroine and women's empowerment pioneer in Indonesia. The focus on women was done through major programs with women writers around the world. Panel sessions on rights, education and women's health feature speakers such as Robin Lim, a midwife and CNN Hero of the year, the Lebanese author Iman Humaydan and Australian journalist Anne Summers. The founder and director of the Festival, Janet De Neefe UWRF opened 2013 with a look over the last decade, with reflections and memories of the authors who participated in the last decade and a look at the future of the festival and the role of literature in Indonesia. Goenawan Mohamad, a staunch supporter of UWRF since the early days, talked about the past achievements of the festival and how it is the most important international festival and the longest in Indonesia. It would be impossible to list the many special events and the authors (more) forty locations around Ubud. There were 75 roundtables per day at three main sites, eighteen book launches, literary workshops and fifteen six film screenings.
Leila S. Chudori extracts were read by actress Adinia Wirasti his highly acclaimed novel Pulang (Coming Home). When Chudori released Malam terakhir in 1989, it was hailed by critics as the golden child of Indonesian literature. His work as a journalist interrupted his literary career. She did not publish again until 2009, when she presented a collection of short stories, 9 Dari Nadira . His stories were recently published in English under the title The Longest Kiss , including Leila read for us.
Metta Dharmasaputra, investigative journalist and former business editor of Tempo, talked about the incredible story behind his bestselling novel Saksi Kunci (Key Witness). This account of corruption and greater tax evasion in Indonesian history took six years to complete and end years of journalism of this talented, intrepid writer followed.
Cartoonist, writer, painter, philosopher, poet and professor Michael Leunic spoke on "The vulnerability of an idea." He creates a complex range of emotions in a single image and explains the importance of having ideas that never make the page. It shows us how the ideas are nurtured by growing our original innocence, that most of us deny and repress. His work explores the idea of a sacred personal world and the fragile ecosystem of human nature.
seniors Featured Sawitri Cok, a free Balinese leader and Bilawara Lee, a former Larrakia Nation of Darwin, Australia. these women have discussed changes, culturally and socially they witnessed during their life in their communities and neighboring countries. women have had an active discussion on our similarities and tips shared for future generations.
The guru of travelers and Lonely Planet co-founder Tony Wheeler launched his book Dark Lands at Casa Luna in a house full. He shared his latest adventures visiting the darkest corners of the world. His book is an attempt to understand what has changed these places. He returned to Pakistan where he spent much of his childhood and had a long love affair with. He said, "Pakistan is a country that has it all, but nothing works"
Despite the fact that he was there during intense anti-American rallies with placards everywhere "Kill the aliens. "and" Death to Americans ", people were warm and friendly. Wheeler found the same throughout his travels in these areas full of anger and hatred against foreign elements. Congo has inspired with its gorillas and great volcanoes. Wheeler said he was subjected to the curse of wealth in ivory, copper, gold and diamonds. There was arrested for taking photos of a bar. From North Korea National Stadium, where Tony was delighted by the army showing his dance moves; in Palestine, where he was inadvertently hit by stones thrown by young people, it was moved by the hospitality and generous hearts and minds of the people he met.
The UWRF slam poetry was not as stimulating last year, but it was still a favorite event, drawing boos and groans from the audience. Excellent deliveries were made in Indonesian and Malay. Some judges refused to pass judgment on them because they did not understand the words. There were few "slamming" or "rap" words. The winning poem was of erotic love between women; graphic and sincere. There was the poetry of life in Ubud and well about the anguish of love and modern life. Pablo, the 2011 winner, was third with a poem in motion, Eulogy , the loss and acceptance. The event was organized by the current slam champion from Australia, C. J. Bowerbird which kept together in a humorous way. One exceptional talent was music presented by Ka Mau. He played diverse music from different periods of time in perfect response to situations, keeping a brisk pace and lots of laughs going throughout this celebration of speech. Big respect to all participants for their bravery and beautiful words!
There are so many events, programs, discussions and book launches, it is impossible to see everything. What this festival is always guaranteed to offer is an exchange of ideas and insights. Intellectually stimulating people from all over the world come together and share ideas on issues of vital importance. It is a festival of literature from all walks of life, rich in diversity and creativity. UWRF never fails to present new and challenging ideas, bring people through the power of words.