The 14th Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (UWRF) has today announced its first lineup of authors, artists and activists who will lead this year's five-day program of fiery discussions, literary lunches, and powerful performances from 25–29 October.

The Festival will welcome more than 150 speakers from 30 countries, sharing bold ideas and extraordinary stories through the lens of this year's theme, 'Sangakan Paraning Dumadi', or 'Origins'.

At a time of global unrest and political turmoil, the theme challenges audiences to consider the biggest picture – to contemplate our connections as a collective humanity extending across people, the planet and periods of time. It invites us to consider the origins of the elements that shape us, the things we carry with us through life, and the things that draw us back.

From Kalimantan to Canada, Riau to Lucknow, the first lineup reveal of 16 authors and artists is testament to Indonesia's – and the Festival's – famed cultural and artistic diversity.

The Festival is thrilled to welcome Scotland's king of crime writing, Ian Rankin, alongside Canadian author Madeleine Thien, whose works on diasporic histories have received universal acclaim.

Wrenched from his origins and miraculously finding his way home, the story which inspired the film Lion will be shared by Saroo Brierley, while Malaysian socio-political author and activist Marina Mahathir will reveal how she's inspired thousands to be unbound by the society they're born into.

Leading the discussion on our environmental responsibilities to future generations is internationally-acclaimed climatologist and conservationist Tim Flannery, while Britain's greatest authority on Chinese food, Fuchsia Dunlop, will stir the senses with her explorations in cultural preservation.

Through its strong focus on the Indonesian literary and artistic landscape, UWRF continues to be the most prominent platform for showcasing the nation's emerging and established writers and artists. One of Indonesia's most outspoken journalists Leila S Chudori, and prolific author and social commentator Seno Gumira Ajidarma, lead the national lineup.

With his new narratives of modern love that resist global hatred, pop culture visionary and founder of MTV World, Nusrat Durrani, will also appear, alongside respected essayist, journalist and novelist Robert Dessaix, and award-winning memoirist Kate Holden.

Indonesia's premier puppet theatre group, Papermoon, and dancer-choreographer Eko Supriyanto, have both garnered international attention for their imaginative transformations of Indonesian traditions. Performances by each will headline what promises to be the Festival's most exhilarating arts program yet.

One of the most influential Balinese authors of her generation, Oka Rusmini also joins the lineup, alongside maverick filmmaker Erick Est, and prolific novelist and social entrepreneur Ahmad Fuadi. Faudi will also be part of the Festival's Emerging Voices Program – a free, four-day event celebrating young writers, filmmakers and artists from across the archipelago, to be held alongside UWRF17.

After the Festival, Tim Flannery and Kate Holden will cast off for the Komodo Islands in the latest of the Festival's literary cruises. The chance to sail the pristine seas of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Coral Triangle, snorkel in the most biodiverse marine ecosystem on the planet, and encounter Komodo dragons with Flannery and Holden is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“We know there are hundreds of literary events across the world, but what we hear most about our Festival is that it is truly magical. It is unique,” commented UWRF Founder and Director Janet DeNeefe.

“It is unique in its diversity of speakers and audiences, beautiful settings, and Balinese hospitality. What started as a community initiative has grown into a global hub of ideas, experiences and empowerment. It's the perfect place for meaningful cross-cultural exchange at a time when we need it most.”

About the Festival

From 25–29 October, thousands will converge under swaying palms and starry night skies to connect, learn and be inspired at the 14th annual Ubud Writers & Readers Festival. Through the lens of this year's theme, Origins, the Festival will deliver an eclectic program of events, from intimate literary lunches to hands-on workshops, fiery conversations to powerful live performances.

The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival is one of the major annual projects of not-for-profit foundation, Yayasan Mudra Swari Saraswati. It was conceived of in 2004 by Janet DeNeefe as a healing project in response to the first Bali bombing.

Early Bird Tickets are on sale now.

“The festival – surely the best in the world – ensures that you're never at a loss for intellectual nourishment.” - Harper's Bazaar

UWRF is one of Penguin Random House's Best Literary Festivals Around the World

About the Literary Cruise

Hosting celebrated author Amitav Gosh and Lonely Planet Co-founder Tony Wheeler on previous voyages, the UWRF's literary cruises give passengers the chance to journey through one of Indonesia's most spectacular regions alongside literary greats. This year's cruise with Tim Flannery and Kate Holden is an exclusive opportunity for eight guests only, from 31 October to 4 November.

For further information click here: www.ubudwritersfestival.com/tim-flannery-joins-uwrf17-cruise-komodo-national-park/.

English Language Media Contact

Julia Winterflood | julia@yayasansaraswati.org | (+62) 812 9942 7591.

High-res Festival imagery (please note photo credits) can be downloaded via www.flickr.com/photos/ubudwritersfest/.

Media Accreditation is now open via http://www.ubudwritersfestival.com/media-accreditation/.