Janet DeNeefe

Melbourne-born Janet DeNeefe is the visionary Founder and Director of the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival. Crafted in the wake of the 2002 Bali Bombings, she created the festival as a beacon of hope, aimed at rebuilding both the community spirit and economy after this tragic event. Since its inception in 2004, the festival's triumphant launch marked the beginning of a remarkable journey. Today, it stands as one of the world’s premier festivals, that infuses vitality into Indonesia's literary arena. DeNeefe penned the books, Fragrant Rice, To Stir with Love, and Bali: Food of MyIsland Home. Together with her husband Ketut, she is the driving force behind Ubud's renowned establishments: Casa Luna, Indus Restaurant, Casa Luna Cooking School, and Honeymoon Guesthouse and Bakery. With more than three decades in Bali, DeNeefe has made a mark on the rich tapestry of the island's cultural landscape.