The Ubud Writers and Readers Festival is an Experience Beyond Books
From 27 to 30 October 2022, the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (UWRF) will take over Bali’s cultural capital for its 19th year running. There will be 150 storytellers — from writers and poets to activists and musicians — descending upon Ubud over the four days, all of whom will feature on over 50 panels,
Weaving the Ocean: Art Installation Turns Discarded Plastic Ropes into Refined Tapestry
The Coral Triangle Center (CTC), a Bali-based environmental NGO, has unveiled ‘Weaving the Ocean’, an art installation and exhibition by Indonesian artist, Ari Bayuaji, showcased at their Center for Marine Conservation in Sanur. The Coral Triangle Center has always made it its mission to continuously educate people about the oceans, and how to preserve and
A Message from Janet DeNeefe: Founder & Director of Ubud Writers & Readers Festival
Dear Readers, The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we view and experience literature and community. It has reminded us of the deep value, and essential effect creative programming has on our society. It also challenged thousands of arts organizations like never before. At the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, we wanted to ensure we continued
Scholars of Sustenance Organises Second Million Meals Paddle Fundraising Event
Food Rescue Foundation, Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) Indonesia, has always been committed to feeding communities in need in Bali and Indonesia through the collection and redistribution of edible surplus food from hospitality partners including hotels, restaurants, bakeries and food manufacturers. In 2021, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, SOS Indonesia managed an astonishing feat of distributing a
Bali 1928: Repatriating Bali’s Musical Memories
You can listen to a full interview with Bali 1928 in Episodes 23 and 24 of The NOW! Bali Podcast: “I haven’t heard this since I was a kid,” said Wayan Beratha upon hearing the scratchy recordings of a Balinese gamelan composition from 1928. The melodic tones of Curik Ngaras (Starlings Kissing) sparked a 70-year
Maja Healing: A Centre for Professional, Holistic Healing and Therapy in Bali
Though relatively under the radar, Maja Healing is one of the island’s most sought-after practices for holistic healing, knowledge sharing and community building. A tranquil oasis set in the quaint Umalas neighbourhood, this not-for-profit centre has been helping clients improve their overall mental, emotional or physical well-being, or indeed recover from a variety of ailments
ARTificial Reef: Teguh Ostenrik’s Underwater Art Installations Reviving Corals in North Bali
At the end of May 2022, ‘Domus Anguillae’, or ‘House of Eels’ was submerged into the sea off the coast of Tejakula, north-east Bali. It marked the 11th coral reef art installation made by artist Teguh Ostenrik, part of the efforts of the Terumbu Rupa Foundation (or Yayaysan Terumbu Rupa). About the ARTificial Reef Project
The Bali Island Paddle: Two Adventurers Set to Stand-Up Paddle Around the Entire Island
Two ocean defenders, Mike Brumby and Lukas Gallu, are set to paddle around the entire Bali coastline on 2 July 2022, in an effort to break records, create awareness and raise funds for the Coral Triangle Center. The Bali coastline is approximately 450km, a remarkable distance not yet including factors such as currents, winds and
Bali Island School Students Built Free Mini-Library for the Community
Wonderful news for the Sanur community as they now have a free mini-library accessible to them courtesy of students from Bali Island School. Officially called the ‘People’s Perpustakaan’, the mini-library was built by twelve students from Grade 6 to Grade 10 of the prestigious school as part of their ‘Service to Action’ programme. This was
A Community Garden Thrives in Lembongan, Providing Food for the Unemployed
Separated by the sea, Nusa Lembongan has been even more on the fringe during the pandemic than mainland Bali. Idyllic island getaways, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan have always depended on visitors, with tourism the main source of income for the local community; sadly, up to 95% of the businesses on the island closed through
An Ocean of Learning in Bali’s Center for Marine Conservation
Bali-based environmental NGO, the Coral Triangle Center (CTC), is on a mission to educate millions about the oceans, and more specifically how we can protect them. Seeing their impressive Center for Marine Conservation in Sanur, this mission is well on its way. In the space of ocean found between Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the
Bike to Care: A Cycling Fundraiser for SOS Children’s Villages
SOS Children’s Villages Indonesia, a non-governmental organisation that focuses on providing family-based alternative care for children who have or are at risk of losing parental care, announces the first offline Bike to Care ultra-distance cycling fundraising event, which aims to help vulnerable families in Indonesia, especially children who have lost their parents due to the
Saving Waters: Tackling Bali’s Water Crisis
As a tropical island famed for its beautiful beaches, majestic waterfalls, great lakes, mountain springs, flowing rivers and great lakes, it’s safe to say that water is an integral aspect of Bali and its ecosystem. However, Bali is facing a hidden crisis that threatens the future of the island: water scarcity. Over 60% of Bali’s