Ubud Writers & Readers Festival announces first 2026 line-up

Ubud — The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival has announced its first 2026 line-up, with the four-day programme set for 21–25 October under the theme “Samarasā: Awareness. Empathy. Action.”

The festival said the 23rd edition will bring together more than 150 writers, thinkers, artists and activists for more than 100 sessions in Ubud, according to the official announcement and programme listings. Early Bird four-day passes were on sale until 18 August, the festival said.

Among the international names announced are Booker Prize winner Kiran Desai, Malaysian writer Tash Aw and Booker Prize finalist Katie Kitamura. The line-up also includes Nepalese-American designer Prabal Gurung, Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah, Palestinian writer Adania Shibli, Pakistani writer Fatima Bhutto and British-American journalist Simon Winchester.

Indonesian writers in the programme

The Indonesian contingent includes journalist and filmmaker Dandhy Laksono, author Dian Purnomo, writer and historian Raisa Kamila, author and songwriter Valiant Budi, poet Cyntha Hariadi and writer Louie Buana, according to the festival’s announcement.

The official programme also lists additional sessions featuring Indonesian and international guests, including talks by Francesca Albanese, Rachel Clarke, Ali Sethi and Tiffany Tsao. A two-day writers’ retreat led by Hong Kong author Xu Xi is scheduled for 19–20 October.

The festival’s programme page indicates the main event runs from 22–25 October, while the opening day on 21 October is reserved for the opening press conference and gala. The festival said the full programme spans talks, panels, readings and conversations across the five days.

The announcement was published by the festival on 11 September 2026, and the line-up is being framed around “Samarasā,” a theme the organisers say is intended to guide discussions on awareness, empathy and action.

Sources

• Ubud Writers & Readers Festival
• Books+Publishing