In less than three weeks, an immense lineup of inspiring memoirists, acute political analysts, shimmering poets, and emerging writers will take to the stage at Taman Baca and venues across Ubud.
Under the guiding theme Aham Brahmasmi – I am the Universe, a cosmic combination of literary stars will explore the deep connection between the self and the universe through in-conversations and panel discussions, literary lunches, musical and spoken word galas, book launches, workshops, and much more.
Headlining the international program are winners of the 2025 International Booker Prize: Indian author and women’s rights activist Banu Mushtaq, whose debut short story collection Heart Lamp won alongside its translator Deepa Bhasthi; and German novelist Jenny Erpenbeck, who won the 2024 International Booker Prize for Kairos, a novel set against the collapse of East Germany. Together, they will take part in a panel inspired by Virginia Woolf’s notion of women carving their own rooms to write, exploring what women today choose to write about and what it takes to craft a prize-winning book.
The Festival also welcomes outstanding society-shapers, including Egyptian-Canadian novelist and reporter Omar El Akkad, who argues that the West has betrayed its core values of freedom and justice. Adding to the critical global voices is Japanese writer and journalist Shiori Itō, a survivor of sexual violence who has become the face of the #MeToo movement in Japan, as well as Lebanese-Australian journalist Antoinette Lattouf, who advocates for the urgent need to embed real intersectionality in workplaces, beyond performative diversity.
In celebration of Indonesia’s 80th anniversary of independence, festival-goers can hear analysis from Belgian historian and author David Van Reybrouck on his widely acclaimed Revolusi, a superb history of the struggle for independence after three centuries of Dutch colonial rule. Joining him is Britain’s historian and bestselling author William Dalrymple, who will dive into his latest work The Anarchy and its exploration of the rise of the East India Company, and the chaos and complexity behind Britain’s colonial dominance in India.
As Indonesia’s premier platform for showcasing its writers to the world, the Festival is honored to once again welcome novelist and journalist Leila S. Chudori, one of the most celebrated Indonesian writers, together with Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa 2025 winner Sasti Gotama and rising literary talents such as Ray Shabir and Hamzah Muhammad, who, along with Balinese novelist Ni Made Purnama Sari, will explore the new wave of poets reshaping form, language, and media.
Across the main program sessions, the Festival explores how storytelling can, and has, created real change. In Where the Land Knows My Name: Stories from Papua, writer Topilus B. Tebai, author Enda Kaban, and Rossy You will reflect on how Papuans perceive land not only as territory, but as memory, kin, and home. A one-on-one interview with writer and sociologist Okky Madasari highlights stories that confront gender discrimination, authoritarianism, and social prejudice through sharp social critique.
Another highlight of the program is The Making of an Anthology: Stories from the Islands, featuring emerging writer Annisa Ivana, one of ten rising Indonesian literary talents selected from 647 submissions to be part of the Festival’s mentorship program. She will be joined by acclaimed Indonesian writer and program co-curator Ratih Kumala, as well as Nora Nazerene Abu Bakar, Vice President of Penguin Random House SEA, which is partnering with the Festival this year to publish the anthology. Audiences are also invited to the launch of the bilingual anthology, one of 34 free Book Launches taking place across Ubud.
And, following the tremendous success of the writing retreat with Booker Prize 2024 shortlistee Charlotte Wood, the Festival is also thrilled to launch its second Writing Retreat this year at Plataran Ubud Hotel & Spa, guided by acclaimed authors Kate Sawyer, Mirandi Riwoe, and Robin Hemley. Starting from Sunday, 26 October, to coincide with the Festival, the literary immersion will not only offer participants writing workshops, dedicated time for personal writing, but also exclusive entry to the 2025 Festival, including an invitation to the Festival’s Grand Opening Gala, making it an unmissable seven-day literary experience.
“From humble beginnings, the Festival has grown into Southeast Asia’s most meaningful literary event, bringing people together from near and far. So, if you wish to meet fellow literary-minded folk, love a good story or performance, or are simply eager to learn more about Indonesia, then come to Ubud to experience the magic for which we are famous. For me, our Festival has been life-changing, and it can be for you,” said Festival Founder and Director Janet DeNeefe.
, running from 29 October to 2 November 2025, has just announced its main program, featuring over 200 exciting writers, thinkers, and performers from near and far, ready for four days of wide-ranging conversations, debates, and stories.){kind=link}