There are places in the world that remind you how alive words can be. In Ubud, where the air carries the scent of rain and frangipani, stories seem to rise from every corner, from cafés filled with quiet readers to stages where authors speak under the shade of ancient trees. It is here that the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (UWRF) 2025 unfolded, not as a formal gathering, but as a celebration of the human need to connect through ideas.
What makes UWRF unforgettable is how it blends the intellectual with the intimate. It draws writers, thinkers, and wanderers from different parts of the world, yet the feeling that lingers is deeply personal. The days pass not in haste but in gentle rhythm, filled with conversations that stretch from books to life itself. The festival feels alive with curiosity, a shared energy that turns even small exchanges into moments of reflection.
There is a certain beauty in how the festival encourages openness. Sitting in on a discussion or simply listening from afar, one senses that everyone is part of the same story. A thought from an author can stir something familiar, a passing sentence might unlock a memory.
UWRF invites its guests to see literature not as something distant, but as a mirror that helps us understand who we are and how we connect with the world around us.
That same connection was evident on the festival’s final day, which coincided with World Climate Day. The programme turned its gaze towards the relationship between storytelling and the environment. During the launch of illustrator Emte’s Life as I Know It, visitors were reminded that language can exist beyond words. That art and emotion can live inside an image, carrying meaning in every line. Later, Michael Schindhelm’s film Roots offered a thoughtful bridge between the past and present, following the story of German painter Walter Spies and his deep bond with Bali. The film became a quiet reminder of how the island continues to evolve, holding fast to its essence while facing the changing tides of time.
Beyond the festival grounds, UWRF 2025 left a tangible impression on Ubud itself. Local cafés, small guesthouses, and artisan stalls became part of the experience, creating a gentle rhythm of exchange between visitors and the community. The collaboration with local MSMEs gave the event a sense of purpose. Where art and culture support everyday life, and where every story shared also gives back. It was more than tourism, it was a reminder that creativity, when rooted in place, can nurture both spirit and livelihood.
Perhaps this is what makes UWRF 2025 so distinct. It captures the soul of Bali through sincerity. Every discussion and performance carries a touch of the island’s spiritual grace, where beauty meets depth and reflection meets joy. It is an event that lingers quietly in memory, not because of its grandeur, but because of how human it feels.
As the final evening faded into warm light, guests carried home more than new books. They left with a renewed sense of curiosity, and the realisation that stories, when shared with heart, can move far beyond the page.
Writer: La
