The 11th Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, said to be Southeast Asia’s most renowned literary and cultural event, being held from October 1-5 in Bali (Indonesia), will honor Hindu goddess Saraswati.

About 150 “literary stars” from over 25 countries are reportedly participating in this Festival, whose objective talks about the “spirit of cross-cultural understanding”.

Project of a not-for-profit foundation first conceived by its co-founder Janet DeNeefe, held annually in Bali’s artistic and cultural heartland Ubud, this Festival’s mission is “to create a world class festival that celebrates extraordinary stories and amplifies brave voices; tackles global issues and big ideas”.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, commended Festival organizers for honoring Saraswati; highly revered Hindu goddess of knowledge/learning, music, art, language/speech, and poetry. Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, also praised organizers for efforts at promoting cross-cultural understanding.

Embassy of Indonesia in Washington DC (USA) last year raised a 10-foot statue of goddess Saraswati on a public space on Massachusetts Avenue NW, about a mile away from White House.

Indonesia has the largest Muslim population than any other country in the world; where Muslims form about 88% of the population and Hindus about 3%.

Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.