Bagus Ari Saputra

Bagus Ari Saputra is a Finnish-born Indonesian poet, writer, and literary advocate renowned for his multilingual poetry performances across Indonesia, Finland, and England. His poetic prowess is showcased in the 2020 anthology Rasasastra. As the founder of the Ubud Book Club, Bagus fosters a vibrant literary community in Bali, encouraging intellectual discourse and a shared passion for literature. ​

Beyond the book club, Bagus co-founded the Neverending Poetry Krew (NPK), a Balinese performance group specializing in spoken word and musicalized poetry. Alongside members Imam Barker and Christy Mawar, NPK has graced events across Indonesia, including Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Bali, and Flores, and has been featured in three poetry anthologies. Their bilingual performances, in both English and Indonesian, often delve into social issues and relationships, blending traditional deklamasi styles with contemporary spoken word. ​

Bagus’s literary contributions extend to organizing events like “Poets in the Garden,” which seamlessly integrate poetry with fine dining and art. Collaborating with renowned chef Chris Salans from Mozaic, these events create multisensory experiences that combine culinary delights with auditory and intellectual stimulation. Similarly, his “Stories and Senses” initiative pairs retellings of local legends and folk tales with regional cuisine and indigenous music, offering audiences immersive cultural experiences. ​¹

In addition to his literary pursuits, Bagus Ari Saputra is a businessman and hotelier. He owns a boutique art hotel in Ubud, Bali, where he integrates his artistic sensibilities into the hospitality industry. The hotel employs local artisans and features Balinese heritage architecture, reflecting Bagus’s commitment to preserving and promoting local culture.

Through his diverse endeavors, Bagus Ari Saputra continues to bridge literature, culture, and community, enriching Indonesia’s artistic landscape and fostering cross-cultural dialogues.

1. Asian Dreams ↩