T

he ANZ-Ubud Writers and Readers Festival will kick off its five-day long literary feast this evening (Wednesday) with a celebratory gala opening and a tribute to one of Bali’s greatest poets of the 20th century.

“We are quite excited this year because the festival has grown and expanded into such a huge and prominent event, not only for the country’s literary circle and the festival’s patrons from Indonesia and abroad, but also for the people of Ubud.

It has become the signature event of Ubud,” festival community development manager Kadek Purnami said on Tuesday, adding that the Ubud business community had come out in force to support the festival, providing generous sponsorship in many forms.

Purnami, who oversees the festival’s opening and closing ceremonies, disclosed that the invitation-only the gala opening would be held in the courtyard of Ubud’s royal palace. Culture and Tourism Ministry’s director general for marketing Sapta Nirwandar is slated to officially open the festival.

Witning Kaoripan (the origin of life), a dance repertoire especially commissioned for the ceremony, will provide the audience with a visual interpretation of the festival’s main theme; Nandurin Karang Awak (Cultivate the Land Within). The opening ceremony will also see two famed poets: Made Adyana Ole from Bali and Rodaan Al Galidi from the Netherlands recite their best works.

Later in the evening, a special homage will be held at the Wantilan hall of Ubud’s Dalem temple, some 200 meters west of the palace. The tribute will be dedicated to the late Ida Pedanda Made Sidemen, known as one of the island’s greatest kawi-wiku (poet priest).

A humble high priest known for his simple life and daring intellect, Sidemen composed many influential pieces on Balinese Hinduism, spiritual teachings and literature.

In his masterpiece “Salampah Laku”, a long poem in the traditional form of geguritan, Sidemen put into writing his inner conflicts, anguish and, most importantly, his determination to tread the solitary path of spiritual seeker.

He declared his intention to lead a simple life to discipline his body and stated that “a man who doesn’t have a rice field, should strive to cultivate the land within himself”, a line that inspires the festival’s theme.

“He has shown us that literature, the act of composing poetry, is not merely an act of creating or capturing beauty, but is also an act of shaping our body and soul so that we can live a life of beauty,” festival participant Sugi Lanus said, adding that it is a fitting gesture for the festival to organize the tribute.

Scores of Balinese poets and musicians will offer their homage in the tribute event.

Two of the island’s leading contemporary composers, I Ketut Lanus and Made Subandi, composed a special musical repertoire to show their respect to the great poet.

Called Gegancangan, the repertoire is a melodic exhortation that urges mankind to review its worldly approach toward life. Dadang S.H. Pranoto, the front man of popular band Dialog Dini Hari, will also perform in the tribute.

“The gala opening and the tribute are a testament to our festival’s commitment to promote the local wisdom of Bali as well as the works of Indonesian and Balinese writers on a global stage,” festival founder and director Janet de Neefe said.

De Neefe revealed that the festival had grown into a majestic celebration of multiculturalism, attracting speakers and audience from numerous countries and cultural backgrounds, as well as a lively discourse that brought together creators from diverse fields, from writers, musicians and dramatists to graphic designers.

“This year there are 130 invited speakers from 27 countries participating in 168 events held at 57 venues. It will be an exhilarating week for all of us,” she said.

The first Ubud Writers and Readers Festival was held in 2004 as a peaceful response to the 2002 Bali bombings.

The annual event has evolved into the largest international literary festival in the region.