Ubud Writers & Readers Festival Perth 2022

A chapter of the world’s most loved writers’ festival is headed back to Perth this month to give WA audiences a cultural fusion experience unlike any other. Writers from Indonesia, Singapore and the Ukraine will join Australian and WA creatives for the packed three-day festival at The Rechabite Hall on 21-23 October. Now in its second year, the event is the result of an exclusive partnership between Writing WA and the world-renowned Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, which has run for almost 20 years.

For many years, the Perth Edition, presented in partnership with Writing WA, has been a celebration of the written and spoken word, featuring acclaimed writers and thinkers from Australia and Indonesia in an extraordinary presentation of free talks, performances, music, and poetry. Now, after two years in virtual form, our joint forum will be held in person again to connect readers with emerging and acclaimed authors from Indonesia and Down Under.

Check out a few highlights below:

WRITING AND RIGHTS | Friday, 21 October 2022 | 13:00 – 13:45

Author and journalist Andreas Harsono started his career as a reporter for the Bangkok-based Nation and the Kuala Lumpur-based Star newspapers. Since 2008, he has covered Indonesia for Human Rights Watch. Andreas joins historian Vannessa Hearman to discuss the ‘idea of Indonesia’ and consider how race and religion have become increasingly prevalent in the politics of the Post-Suharto era.

UNITING HUMANITY THROUGH CREATIVITY | Saturday, 22 October 2022 | 15:00 – 15:45

Our theme for 2022 is ‘Uniting Humanity’. Our writers, Clarissa Goenawan, Siang Lu, and Alton Walley, offer their various perspectives on how writing and creative practice can help us to have richer conversations about race, deepen our appreciation for diverse cultures, and unite humanity, one story at a time.

1000 WORDS | Saturday, 22 October 2022 | 12:00 – 12:45

Writer and filmmaker Ahmad Fuadi and graphic artist and animator Tee Ken are adept at the art of visual storytelling. In this conversation, they discuss the differences between ‘showing’ and ‘telling’ and consider whether one picture really is worth a thousand words – or more.

PAON TALKING | Sunday, 23 October 2022 | 15:00 – 15:45

Paon is derived from pawon, the Balinese word for kitchen. In this conversation with our Festival Director Janet DeNeefe, one of Indonesia’s leading chefs, Chef Wayan Kresna Yasa, will shine a light on the depth and diversity of Balinese cuisine and provide insight into food and worship, sacred fare, and zero-waste cooking.

Browse all events and grab tickets to them here.