Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2005-part II

Indonesian Writers at the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival
Bali, Indonesia,
6–11 October 2005

Nationally, this festival provides a unique open space for Indonesia's leading thinkers and literary pioneers to shed light on the social, religious and literary landscapes of Indonesia today. At the same time, it will showcase some of the country's most promising new talents for an international audience.

Indonesian guest writers include : literacy champion and literary journal director, Taufiq Ismail; Islamic publisher and writer, Haidar Bagir; filmmakers Nia Dinata and Joko Anwar; esteemed Professor Arief Budiman; fiction writers Budi Darma, Nukila Amal, Eka Kurniawan, Rachmania Arunita and Mommar Emka; poets Sitok Srengenge and Sutardji Calzoum Bachri; activist and performance artist Cok Sawitri; teenage novelist, Laire Siwi Mentari; and emerging Balinese women playwrights, Kadek Sonia, Pisca Yanti, Muliana, and Eka Pranita Dewi.

Putu Oka Sukanta, an extraordinary mix of activist, writer, newspaper founder, acupuncturist and healer, will describe his latest work about the lives of prostitutes and his work with AIDS and drug abuse throughout Indonesia.

Ayu Utami, who created a literary sensation in Indonesia with her novel, Saman, will launch the English translation of this acclaimed and controversial story of female sexuality and the struggle between personal faith and political action. Other books to be launched include They Say I'm a Monkey and N ayla by Djenar Maesa Ayu and Bali Today, by Jean Couteau and Benito Lopulalan.

Beyond writers, the festival is honored to be hosting Nusantara Berkisah (the archipelago tells), a special set of panels, live performance and film sessions on Indonesia's lived literature traditions, and the dynamic collaborations between artists, scholars and local communities that keep them alive.

Elizabeth D. Inandiak will share her passion for Serat Centhini-the masterwork of mystic poetry of the courts of 19th century Java, which she has translated into French and Indonesian-and perform excerpts from it with musician, Alex Dea.

Joining from Sulawesi will be some of the 'keepers' of Sureq Galigo—the Bugis epic that inspired the Robert Wilson theatre piece, I La Galigo—including Puang Matoa Saidi, head Bissu of Segeri, a 'fifth gender' priest who embodies, more than most, the very essence of a being between worlds. They will offer insider views of the sacred text, its place in their hearts, and their pivotal roles in the Wilson production, followed by a sounding of the text.

For program details and to book, The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival.