The SOUL Festival Unveils A Scintillating Lineup For Its Maldivian Debut
Thursday 11th of May 2023
The one-of-a-kind SOUL festival set to be held in the Maldives from September 29th to October 8th, 2023 has unveiled its riveting full-festival programme featuring a global lineup of visionaries, thought leaders and wellness pioneers. Hosted under a unique partnership with pioneering hospitality brand Soneva and international wellness enterprise ORGANIC INDIA, this intimate festival will be an immersive exploration of the frontiers of health and wellness, from personal to planetary level in the stunning location of Soneva Fushi.
As of now, 18 world-renowned wellness experts have confirmed their place at the inaugural edition of SOUL which will delve deep into discussions of health and wellbeing while dissecting topics such as mind, body and soul, regeneration, sustainability and etc. A world-class delegation of international speakers is expected to deliver at SOUL, including:
Award-winning screenwriter, activist and documentary maker of That Sugar Film and 2024, Damon Gameau; Goi Peace Award recipient Bruce Lipton; New York Times bestselling author Jo Marchant; Ayurvedic aromatherapy pioneer Farida Irani; thirteen-time best-selling author and founder of Bio Blends Dr Libby Weaver; lifestyle ambassador and champion for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Fit India Movement’ Luke Coutinho; award-winning cinematographer, director and producer Louie Schwartzberg; psychologist, scientist and social entrepreneur Shamini Jain.
They will be accompanied by gastroenterologist and author of The Mind Gut Connection Dr Emeran Mayer; clinical psychologist and mindfulness expert Shauna Shapiro; renowned spiritual leaders Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati; actress and biohacking expert Davinia Taylor; the first Western Ayurvedic practitioner in India Dr Robert Svoboda; award-winning science journalist Gaia Vince; naturopathic doctor and doctor of Oriental medicine Dr Lilly-Marie Blecher; anxiety and mindfulness coach Amanda Huggins; and Medical Director & Senior Vice President of Mazumdar Shaw Medical Centre Dr Paul Salins.
The SOUL Festival will be held over ten days and two weekends, offering guests plenty of opportunities to discover the ancient healing traditions, modern science and medicine that serve individuals, communities and the planet. The festival will be inaugurated with sunset cocktails on the sandbank and a glittering plant-based gala dinner on the beach, followed by a live music performance and inspiring stargazing session at Soneva Fushi’s island observatory.
Throughout the festival, guests can enjoy an itinerary of events starting with daily group yoga and meditation on the sandbank. Wellness enthusiasts can also tailor their days to include boot camps at the island jungle gym, hot glassblowing sessions and expert-led nutrition masterclasses. Likewise, guests can reconnect and renew themselves with daily healing rituals and private consultations with esteemed Soneva Soul doctors and visiting wellness specialists or choose to enlighten and expand their horizons by attending a stimulating panel discussion.
During the programme, many standout sessions will be brought by reputed speakers including: The Neuroscience of Wellness with Bruce Lipton, Emeran Mayor, Shamini Jain, Paul Salins and Farida Irani; The Eye of the Storm - Finding Balance in Times of Chaos with Shauna Shaipro, Dr Lilly-Marie Blecher, Luke Coutinho and Robert Svoboda; Building a Regenerative Future with Damon Gameau, Sonu Shivdasani, William Bissel, Gaia Vince, Louie Swartzberg and Bruce Lipton; and Health Crisis to Health Awakening with Amanda Huggins, Louie Swartzberg and Jo Marchant.
Alongside the live, in-person sessions for Soneva Fushi guests, SOUL’s sessions will also be streamed online allowing wellness seekers from around the world to attend and partake in the innovative discussions. All the proceeds from the sale of SOUL Festival tickets will go to the Soneva Foundation and ORGANIC INDIA Foundation to support the development of projects that have a positive environmental and socioeconomic impact.
“We are so proud to host the first edition of SOUL Festival at Soneva Fushi,” says Sonu Shivdasani, CEO and co-founder of Soneva. “Wellness permeates all that we do at Soneva: our sustainable, barefoot philosophy that reconnects our guests to the earth; our life-affirming natural locations; our delicious yet health-focused cuisine; and our life-changing guest experiences. The festival’s remarkable programme is an opportunity to explore every facet of health and wellbeing, and I cannot wait to welcome the line-up of outstanding wellness experts to our shores.”
“SOUL Festival is a rare opportunity to experience a deeply immersive journey with some of the world’s leaders in wellness, health and regeneration,” adds festival director Chris Deckker. “From keynote talks and interactive panels to immersive workshops, intimate dinners and remote Island adventures, this unprecedented festival retreat is unlike any other in the world, hosted on one of the most magical Islands in the Maldives.”
Guests can enjoy Soneva’s exclusive SOUL Festival offers, with specially curated three, five or ten-night packages. Starting from USD 6,900 for a three-night stay for two at Soneva Fushi, the offer includes full access to the festival programme, luxurious private villa accommodation, daily full board dining and round–trip domestic transfers. Bookings made before May 31, 2023, will also receive an additional 10 per cent reduction on the package rate.