What happened
The Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (UWRF), the annual literary festival of Ubud, will run in Ubud from October 21 to 25, 2026. Organisers presented the programme at a press conference in Sanur, Denpasar, on Wednesday, October 7.
This year the festival puts two groups in focus. One is women and their perspective on society. The other is a new generation of Balinese writers who join through the Emerging Writers Programme for first time authors.
The programme in numbers
Ubud will host more than 200 festival programmes. They include panel talks, the launch of 49 books, film screenings, theatre, poetry readings and a set of free events open to the public, local residents included.
A dedicated strand looks at women, culture, technology and social change. Organisers expect the venues to bring together writers of different generations with readers from Indonesia and abroad.
This is the festival's 23rd edition. The 2026 theme is "Samaras: Awareness. Empathy. Action."
Who is taking part
Among the emerging writers is Nityasa Wijaya, who was born and raised in Bali. Her work explores how women see a patriarchal society. Her piece "Perempuan Buah Langit" was selected for the festival's bilingual anthology, which opens it up to readers outside Indonesia.
Speaking at the press conference, Nityasa described the festival as a place to make friends, build a network and talk shop with writers young and old.
Other Balinese names on the bill include Oka Rusmini, Tan Lioe Ie, Kadek Sonia Piscayanti and Agung Wardana. Prof I Nyoman Darma Putra and Ni Nyoman Ayu Suciartini are also listed among the speakers.
Why women and young writers
Organisers tie the presence of young writers to the Samaras theme. Awareness, empathy and action, they say, form the basis on which the festival brings different perspectives together through literature, art and culture.
Nityasa Wijaya said the festival helps new writers discover and develop their own voice. She added that meeting readers, fellow authors and literary communities from varied backgrounds is just as valuable.
Being chosen for the bilingual anthology meant a lot to her, she said, because translation lets the female perspective in her writing travel to a much wider readership.
What the organisers say
I Ketut Suardana, founder of the Yayasan Mudra Swari Saraswati foundation, said Samaras is not only a philosophical idea. It is about how people relate to themselves, to others, to nature and to everyday life.
UWRF founder and director Janet DeNeefe recalled where the event began. In her words, the festival grew out of the Bali bombing tragedy as a way to help people heal and slowly move on. She said bringing people together and making room for conversation remains an important part of the festival.
What it means for Ubud
Ubud, in Gianyar regency, has long relied on cultural tourism, and UWRF is one of the area's most recognisable events. Five festival days bring writers, readers and visitors from many countries into town.
Free sessions mean locals can join in, not only ticket holders.
The programme also lists sessions on women, culture, technology and social change.
It also matters that the festival gives local authors a stage. A bilingual anthology and sessions with foreign readers carry Balinese writing beyond the island.