Ubud, Bali—Yayasan Mudra Swari Saraswati proudly announces the return of the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival from 29 October to 2 November 2025 to share stories and ideas under the banner of this year’s theme, Aham Brahmasmi – I am the Universe.
For the twenty-second time, Southeast Asia’s leading literary festival will once again bring together writers, poets, and thinkers to Ubud, Bali’s cultural highland, for a 4-day program.
Ubud Writers & Readers Festival featuring author talks, panel discussions, live music, spoken word, literary lunches, late-night readings, workshops, and much more.
READ ALSO: Ubud Food Festival Reveals Its 2025 Theme: Exploring Heritage
The Festival will explore Aham Brahmasmi, a Sanskrit concept from ancient Hindu wisdom that originates from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.
Translated as I am the Universe, it signifies the unity of the human self with the universe or the highest cosmic power and it acknowledges that each individual holds the same creative potential as the universe itself.
The concept of Homo Deus, Human Gods, envisions humans evolving into ‘gods’ through advanced technology, making this theme even more significant.
The tools we create can transform our lives and help solve major challenges, but they also have the potential for control and destruction. The awareness of Aham Brahmasmi reminds us that our intelligence, no matter how advanced, must be grounded in consciousness and interconnectedness.
About Aham Brahmasmi
“Marking a little less than eight months until our Festival, we are delighted to announce this year’s theme, Aham Brahmasmi, which invites us to consider the deep connection between the self and the universe. It poses the question, can wisdom and innovation coexist for the greater good or, can it, in fact, lead us toward an age of imbalance, where technological capabilities outpace our moral and spiritual growth?,” said Janet DeNeefe, Festival Founder and Director.
Graphic designer Aldilla Laras brings the Festival’s concept to life with a striking collage featuring an ancient Balinese mythological creature woven into the composition.
Set against a deep purple backdrop, the piece is layered with vertical stripes embedded with Balinese palm-leaf lontar inscribed with the theme written in Sanskrit, which has been sourced with the help of Balinese writer Carma Mira from the Old Javanese Studies Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Udayana University.
“I wanted viewers to engage with the artwork in a slow and reflective way—recognizing the lontar form, deciphering the Sanskrit writing, and gradually uncovering its deeper message,” said Aldilla Laras.
“I hope festival-goers will feel that the artwork reflects their time spent exploring the Festival. I personally can’t wait to soak up the atmosphere, and as a big reader myself, I have a strong feeling I’ll be leaving with arms full of books, too.” (mybalinews/RLS)
Be the first to comment