Description
About the Festival

Curated by Ni Made Purnama Sari, Shinta Febriany, and Ratih Kumala

Forewords by Janet DeNeefe and Ratih Kumala

Stories from the Islands is a bilingual short story anthology featuring works by ten emerging Indonesian writers selected as part of Ubud Writers and Readers Festival 2025. These writers represent the diverse voices from Indonesia’s 17,000 islands, reflecting the richness of the nation’s ethnicities, local languages, cultures, and stories. The anthology explores the dynamics and contemporary issues shaping Indonesia today, with stories that range from local cultural themes to pressing social concerns. Through these narratives, the collection offers a vibrant and multifaceted portrait of modern Indonesia as seen through the eyes of its young writers.
Founded by Janet DeNeefe in 2004, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival is one of the world’s leading literary events, held annually in the cultural heart of Bali. Each October, it gathers thousands of literature enthusiasts, offering them the opportunity to engage with renowned writers, poets, and thinkers from around the world.

In addition to thought-provoking literary discussions, the festival presents a rich cultural program featuring traditional Indonesian dance and performances, literary lunches, guided tours of Ubud’s historic sites, late-night festival club, musical and spoken word galas, book launches, and interactive workshops designed to nurture emerging writers and young creatives.

As a celebration of storytelling, ideas, and artistic expression, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival remains a vibrant meeting place for those seeking inspiration, connection, and dialogue through literature and culture.

Authors

Stories from the Islands: An Anthology of Indonesian Writing