Through Darkness to Light: Ubud Writers in addition to Readers Festival 2013
The Ubud Readers in addition to Writers Festival opened for the tenth year on October 11th with an all female gamelan orchestra. The theme, ‘Through Darkness to Light’, is usually inspired by the work of Raden Ayu Kartini, a national heroine in addition to pioneer of women’s emancipation in Indonesia. The focus on women was carried throughout the main programs with women writers by around the globe. Panel sessions on women’s rights, education in addition to health featured speakers such as Robin Lim, midwife in addition to CNN Hero of the Year, Lebanese writer Iman Humaydan, in addition to Australian journalist Anne Summers. The Festival Founder in addition to Director, Janet De Neefe opened the 2013 UWRF having a look over the past ten years, with highlights in addition to memories of the authors who participated during the last decade in addition to a look into the future of the festival in addition to literature’s role in Indonesia. Goenawan Mohamad, an ardent supporter of UWRF since the early days, spoke of the festival’s past achievements in addition to how the item is usually Indonesia’s largest in addition to longest-running international festival. the item could be impossible to list the numerous special events in addition to authors at the (more than) forty venues across Ubud. There were 75 panel discussions held daily at three main venues, eighteen book launches, fifteen literary workshops in addition to six film screenings.
Leila S. Chudori had excerpts read by actress Adinia Wirasti by her highly acclaimed novel Pulang (Coming Home). When Chudori published Malam Terakhir in 1989 she was hailed by critics as the golden child of Indonesian literature. Her work as a journalist interrupted her literary career. She did not publish again until 2009 when she presented a collection of short stories, 9 Dari Nadira. Her stories have recently been published in English under the title The Longest Kiss, by which Leila read for us.
Metta Dharmasaputra, investigative reporter in addition to former business Editor of Tempo, spoke about the incredible story behind his best-selling novel Saksi Kunci (Key Witness). This specific account of corruption in addition to the largest tax evasion in Indonesian history took six years to complete in addition to followed years of fine journalism by This specific talented, intrepid writer.
Cartoonist, writer, painter, philosopher, poet, in addition to lecturer Michael Leunic spoke on “The Vulnerability of an Idea”. He creates a complex range of emotions in an individual image in addition to explains the importance of having ideas in which never make the item to the page. He shows us how ideas are nurtured by cultivating our primal innocence, which most of us deny in addition to repress. His work explores the idea of a sacred personal world in addition to the fragile ecosystem of human nature.
The Elders featured Cok Sawitri, an outspoken Balinese leader in addition to Bilawara Lee, an elder of the Larrakia Nation of Darwin, Australia. These women discussed the adjustments, culturally in addition to socially they have witnessed during their lifetimes in their communities in addition to neighbouring countries. The women led an active discussion on our similarities in addition to shared advice for future generations.
The guru of travellers in addition to Lonely Planet co-Founder, Tony Wheeler launched his book Dark Lands at Casa Luna to a full house. He shared his latest adventures visiting the globe’s darker corners. His book is usually an attempt to understand what changed these places. He returned to Pakistan where he spent much of his childhood in addition to has had a long love affair with. He said, “Pakistan is usually a country which has everything going for the item however nothing works.”
Despite the fact he was there during intense anti-American rallies with signs everywhere reading ‘Kill Foreigners’ in addition to ‘Death to Americans’, the people were warm in addition to friendly. Wheeler found the same throughout his travels to these areas full of anger in addition to hatred toward foreign elements. The Congo inspired him with its gorillas in addition to great volcanoes. Wheeler stated the item has been subjected to the curse of its wealth in ivory, copper, gold in addition to diamonds. He was arrested there for taking photos of a bar. by North Korea’s National Stadium where Tony was thrilled by the Army displaying its dance moves; to Palestine where he was inadvertently struck by stones thrown by youngsters, he was moved by the hospitality in addition to generous hearts in addition to minds of the people he encountered.
The UWRF Poetry slam was not as stimulating as last year, however the item still was a favourite event, inspiring hoots in addition to groans by the audience. Excellent deliveries were presented in Indonesian in addition to Malay. Some judges refused to pass judgement on them as they did not understand the words. There was little ‘slamming’ or ‘rapping’ of words. The winning poem was about the erotic love between women; graphic in addition to heartfelt. There was poetry of life in Ubud in addition to much about the angst of love in addition to modern life. Pablo, the 2011 winner, came in third having a moving poem, Eulogy, about loss in addition to acceptance. The event was hosted by Australia’s current slam champion, C.J. Bowerbird who kept the item all together in a humorous manner. One of the outstanding talents was the music presented by Ka Mau. He played diverse music by different time periods in perfect response to situations, keeping a lively beat in addition to much laughter going throughout This specific celebration of the spoken word. Big respect to all participants for their bravery in addition to fine words!
There are so many events, programs, discussions in addition to book launches, the item is usually impossible to see the item all. What This specific festival is usually always guaranteed to offer is usually a lively exchange of ideas in addition to insights. Intellectually stimulating people by all around the globe come together in addition to communicate ideas on issues of vital importance. the item is usually a festival of literature by all walks of life, rich in diversity in addition to creativity. UWRF never fails to present fresh in addition to challenging ideas, bringing people together through the power of words.
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Through Darkness to Light: Ubud Writers in addition to Readers Festival 2013
Through Darkness to Light: Ubud Writers in addition to Readers Festival 2013