Ah Ubud, a neighbouring hot spot within the Balinese rainforest, well-known for relaxing retreats between the green rice paddies, glorious summery weather, sensational cuisine and ancient holy sites.
There’s a reason the lush locale is popular amongst the people of Perth – it really does offer a whole lot more than just a touristy destination; queue the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival.
From Friday 21 until Sunday 23 October, you will have the chance to experience the world-renowned festival right here in Perth at the The Rechabite Hall in Northbridge.
Writers from Indonesia, Singapore and the Ukraine will join Australian and Western Australian creatives for the packed three-day festival.
A highlight of the Perth Ubud Writers & Readers Festival includes Paon – a three-course literary lunch prepared by Michelin-trained Executive Chef, Wayan Kresna Yasa. In Bali, Chef Wayan is known for the utter genius of his cooking, his absolute respect for the environment and his drive to put the flavours of Indonesia on the global culinary map.
His book, Paon: Real Balinese Cooking was published earlier this year and during the event you will enjoy Chef Wayan’s fare, all while hearing from some of the special presenters joining this year’s festival.
Another feature includes a conversation with Siang Lu about his very first novel, The Whitewash which is a fiery, dark humour comedy about the whitewashing of the Asian film industry. You’ll also be able to hear from two Miles Franklin authors, Jennifer Down and Josephine Wilson, in conversation with Gillian O’Shaughnessy.
Writing WA CEO, Sharon Flindell says “The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival Perth program will feature panel sessions that dive into subjects as diverse as international surf culture, human rights, writing about trauma and the human experience of war.”
Sharon shares that the 2022 Perth program is rich in flavour and diversity and that, “We know there’s a real appetite now for events that are truly immersive experiences; that bring us together and teach us more about each other,” Sharon says.
The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival has run for almost 20 years in Bali and it’s one of the most prominent festivals around the globe for such things. Now in its second year for Perth audiences, the festival is set to bring a cultural fusion experience unlike any other.