Over 150 leading authors and artists from more than 30 countries come together for South-East Asia鈥檚 most exciting literary event, (UWRF). Sir VS Naipaul, Amitav Ghosh and Eimear McBride are some of the names to be taking part in this celebration of global issues, big ideas and extraordinary stories.
Celebrating its 11th year, the 2014 UWRF unites the world鈥檚 leading authors, thinkers, artists and performers for five days of events from 1 – 5 October, set amongst the sea of lush greenery in Bali鈥檚 cultural capital. This year鈥檚 programme will explore the theme of Wisdom & Knowledge through in-depth panel discussions, twilight performances, film screenings, poetry slams, street parties, cooking demonstrations, cultural masterclasses, art exhibits and much more.
Leading the lineup is Sir V.S. Naipaul, the Trinidad, UK-based writer whose impressive trajectory includes a knighting, a Booker Prize and a Nobel Laureate. Our other contributors are no strangers to literary accolades, with 2014 Bailey鈥檚 Women鈥檚 Prize recipient Eimear McBride, 2014 DSC Prize winner Cyrus Mistry and the first-ever Arab writer to win the UK鈥檚 Independent Foreign Fiction Prize for his short story collection, The Iraqi Christ, Hassan Blasim also joining the programme.
After receiving a nod from the Grand Prix de Lyon for his graphic novel The Boxer, the UWRF is pleased to welcome Reinhard Kleist, as well as festival favourite and master novelist Amitav Ghosh, together with his Pulitzer Prize-finalist wife, Deborah Baker. From across the globe also come Scottish crime writer Val McDermid, British travel writing great Colin Thubron and New York Times bestseller Carl Hoffman.
There is a range of Australian literary talent on display including 2014 Miles Franklin shortlisted nominee Fiona McFarlane, much-loved children鈥檚 book writer Mem Fox, author of In My Skin and The Romantic memoirs Kate Holden, fearless adventurer and recently turned feature film Tracks author Robyn Davidson, as well as former Australian of the Year and environmentalist, Tim Flannery.
Celebrations of New Zealand鈥檚 literary and artistic contributions will unfold with high-praised comic book artist – best known for the hit show Bro Town – Ant Sang, the first-ever published Maori short story writer Patricia Grace, illustrator Tim Molloy and creative eclectic Nic Low.
A global platform for exploring the world鈥檚 big issues, the UWRF is pleased to welcome UN representative in Sudan Mukesh Kapila, frontline journalist Pallavi Aiyar, and American-in-exile Kosal Khiev. The programme will also bring together creatives from all corners of the globe including star of Spike Lee鈥檚 Inside Man Carlos Andr茅s G贸mez, 5 Star Billionaire author and Book Prize finalist Tash Aw, Chinese avant-garde fiction writer, Can Xue, one of Japan鈥檚 most respected novelists Minae Mizumara, and author of Harvey Loco Rayya Elias, as well as many more.
Last year over 25,000 people joined in the UWRF festivities to celebrate a decade of art, literature and culture from across the globe, and this year鈥檚 festival is set to attract an even larger international audience. Tickets to the 2014 UWRF are now on sale. For more information and to book visit .
Credits
1. Image Credit by Matt Oldfield. Shaken not Stirred. Sebastian Faulks, Ubud Readers and Writers Festival, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, 12/10/2013.
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