From humble beginnings in 2002, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival has evolved into one of the world’s most celebrated literary and artistic events – an annual pilgrimage for lovers of literature and conversation.
Bringing together some of the world’s most powerful voices in a melting pot of artists, authors, thinkers and performers, the Festival is a platform for meaningful exchange and cross-cultural dialogue. A place where artists and audiences alike can discuss shared inspirations, ideas and concerns, the Festival transcends cultural and geographical borders to create a truly global community.
Not withstanding the rumblings of Gunung Agung, this years UWRF will be another outstanding event. Featuring writers such as Jung Cheng (Wild Swans), Robert Dessaix (Night Letters), Tim Flannery (The Future Eaters), Madelaine Thien (Do Not Say We Have Nothing), Ian Rankin (Inspector Rebus stories) and Simon Winchester (Krakatoa). Personally I will be following the adventurers such as Tim Flannery (The Future Eaters), Per Andersson (The Amazing Story Of The Man Who Cycled From India To Europe For Love), Nigel Barley (The Island of Demons), Simon Winchester (Krakatoa) and Rob Henry (the documentary As Worlds Divide).
Below are some of the ‘blurbs’ regarding my participation in the Festival:
Ian Burnet has spent 30 years living, working and traveling in Indonesia. His previousthree titles, Spice Islands, East Indies and Archipelago – A Journey Across Indonesia, reflect his fascination with the nation’s diverse history, ethnicity and cultures. His latest book, Where Australia Collides with Asia, follows the epic voyages of British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace around the eastern archipelago.
Ian Burnet telah hidup, bekerja, dan berkeliling di Indonesia selama 30 tahun. Tiga karya Ian yang berjudul Spice Islands, East Indies dan Archipelago – A Journey Across Indonesia adalah karya-karya yang mencerminkan ketertarikannya akan beragam karakter, etnis dan budaya di Indonesia. Buku terbarunya, Where Australia Collides with Asia, mengikuti kisah perjalanan hebat dari naturalist asal Inggris Alfred Russel Wallace yang mengelilingi bagian Timur nusantara.
Main Program: Banda Tales
| 26 Oct 2017 | 13:00 – 14:15 |
| Main Program / Main Program Day 1 | 4-Day or 1-Day Main Program Pass |
| Taman Baca. Festival Hub, Jl. Raya Sanggingan (Google Maps) | |
350 years ago when nutmeg was worth more than gold, the tiny island of Run played a dramatic role in Indonesia’s colonial history when it was ‘swapped’ by the British for Manhattan. Rich in precious spices, Run and the Banda Islands were the battleground of the legendary spice trade. 350 years on, these writers share their connections to the fabled Spice Islands.
Saat buah pala lebih berharga dibandingkan emas 350 tahun yang lalu, pulau kecil Run memainkan peran penting dalam perjalanan sejarah kolonialisme di Indonesia saat pulau tersebut ditukar dengan Manhattan oleh Inggris. Kaya akan rempah-rempah, Pulau Run dan Banda merupakan ladang pertempuran dari perdagangan rempah. 350 tahun kemudian, para penulis ini bertukar pikiran dan berbagi cerita tentang keberadaan pulau rempah-rempah tersebut.
Festival Club @ Bar Luna: Where Australia Collides with Asia
| 26 Oct 2017 | 18:15 – 19:15 |
| After Dark / Festival Club @ Bar Luna / Free Events | Free |
| Bar Luna. Jl. Raya Ubud (Google Maps) | |
Stow away on some of the most epic voyages of natural history with author and historian, Ian Burnet. Follow the fascinating footsteps of Banks, Darwin and Wallace and explore the remarkable biogeographical boundary that lies just east of Bali and separates the fauna of Asia and Australasia.
Special Event: Set Sail for the Spice Islands
| 29 Oct 2017 | 11:00 – 13:30 |
| Special Events | IDR 350,000 |
| Casa Luna. Jl. Raya Ubud (Google Maps) | |
Set sail for the legendary Spice Islands over a three-course long table lunch at Casa Luna. Restaurateur and Festival Founder and Director Janet DeNeefe joins forces with culinary activist and filmmaker Rahung Nasution to evoke the extraordinary flavors and coveted ingredients that changed the course of history. Historian Ian Burnet and photographer-documentary maker Muhammad Fadli will help steer the ship.
Includes three-course long table lunch.
Berlayar ke Kepulauan Rempah-Rempah legendaris selama makan siang meja panjang tiga haluan di Casa Luna. Pendiri dan Direktur Restoran dan Festival, Janet DeNeefe akan bergabung dengan pegiat kuliner dan pembuat film, Rahung Nasution untuk membangkitkan rasa yang luar biasa dan bahan-bahan yang didambakan yang mengubah jalannya sejarah. Sejarawan Ian Burnet dan fotografer pembuat karya dokumenter Muhammad Fadli akan membantu mengarahkan sesi tersebut.
Termasuk makan siang meja panjang tiga haluan.
http://www.ubudwritersfestival.com
spiceislandsblog 