A Day at the Ubud Writers and Reader Festival 2008

Festival again and for sure we wanted to join again, as it was so much fun last year. We decided for the last day program on Sunday.

Kerry Pendergast, who is with the festival since the beginning, was doing a two very big wall paintings with around 40 kids in the Bali Banjar next to the football field. The kids were all very excited about painting such big paintings all together. At 10h they started and right from the beginning all the kids bussed around with join and fun. Well, some got really into it within minutes - not just wall painting... Full body painting was the theme of the morning. And look how great the workshop went. Kerry was very happy that so many local kids attended the workshop, as see said: "They normally don't do such things!" This little girl from Java, did a great job - no wonder - her day is a painter who lives in Ubud. So Kerry, we are looking forward with what more exciting you will come up next year...

We all needed lunch and went off for some of the great treats you can get in Ubud. With full stomach and rich in energy we trotted off to the Pondok Pekak next to the football field. A great workshop took place there this year. A Wayang Kulit, but not the traditional way. The Wayang was made from dried leaves and the workshop was groovy and fun. Most of the kids where local kids and they all had so much fun. Drumming, singing, making your own Wayang Daun Kering - kids heaven. My little one did not want to workshop to finish. For days after we where building Wayangs from leaves at home. A very fun and inspiring workshop and we hope to see more of this next year or even sooner.

Talking to volunteers, many told us, that most of the children attending the workshops where local Balinese children. Parents and children enjoyed the workshops and it seams like the Kids Corner in the Festival is getting stronger each year. Thanks again to all helping to make many kids happy and don't miss out the festival next year...