Soul Unveils Full Festival Lineup for Maldives Debut at Soneva Fushi

A global lineup of visionaries, thought leaders, and wellness pioneers will visit the Maldives from September 29 to October 8, 2023, as part of SOUL's exciting festival program, which includes enlightening presentations, guided wellness sessions, and hands-on treatments.The intimate festival will be an immersive exploration of health and wellness in all its forms, from personal to planetary, at the award-winning Soneva Fushi, located within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is a partnership with the innovative hospitality brand Soneva and the international wellness enterprise ORGANIC INDIA.

Ayurvedic aromatherapy pioneer Farida Irani, New York Times bestselling author Jo Marchant, activist and documentary filmmaker Damon Gameau, Goi Peace Award winner Bruce Lipton, bestselling author and founder of Bio Blends Dr. Libby Weaver, lifestyle ambassador Luke Coutinho, and award-winning cinematographer and director of the documentary That Sugar Film and 2024 are among the international speakers on the list. 

Dr. Timothy Doolin, an expert in orthotics, orthodontics, and homeoblocks; Dr. Lilly-Marie Blecher, a naturopathic physician and doctor of Oriental medicine; Dr. Amanda Huggins, an anxiety and mindfulness coach; Dr. Paul Salins, medical director and senior vice president of Mazumdar Shaw Medical Centre; Dr. Anders Olsson, creator of Conscious Breathing; Dr. Nasha Winters, an oncologist and author; and Dr. Anders Ol.

Ten days and two weekends will make up SOUL Festival, which will provide visitors the chance to learn about both contemporary medicine and science and how they may benefit people, communities, and the globe. The ceremonial launch of the first edition will be marked by sunset drinks on the sandbank and a vegan gala dinner on the beach, which will be followed by a live music performance and stargazing at Soneva Fushi's island Observatory.

Each morning, visitors have the option of participating in group yoga and meditation on the sandbank, setting new fitness objectives during boot camps at the jungle gym on the island, going paddleboarding with a guide to discover the hidden gems of the Indian Ocean, learning the art of hot glassblowing, or gaining knowledge about gut health during expert-led nutrition masterclasses. A specially curated menu of treatments to try during SOUL will help guests discover the meaning of true health. Throughout the day, guests can reconnect and feel renewed with daily healing rituals, broaden their perspectives during thought-provoking panel discussions, enjoy complimentary one-on-one conversations with speakers, or discover daily healing rituals.

The Eye of the Storm: Finding Balance in Times of Chaos with Shauna Shapiro, Dr. Lilly-Marie Blecher, Luke Coutinho, and Robert Svoboda, The Neuroscience of Wellness with Bruce Lipton, Emeran Mayor, Shamini Jain, Paul Salins, and Farida Irani, Building a Regenerative Future with Damon Gameau, Sonu Shivdasani, William Bissel, Gaia Vince, Louie Swartzberg, and Bruce Lipton, The interactive, live sessions for Soneva Fushi visitors will be accompanied with internet streaming of SOUL's sessions.

Live musical performances by Ustad Kamal Sabri, a well-known Indian classical composer, Kristin Hoffman, a sound healer, and modern Indian poet and storyteller Bawari Basanti will provide the evening with the ideal soundtrack.

Soneva's SOUL Festival offers are available exclusively to guests in three-, five-, or ten-night packages that have been carefully chosen. The deal, which includes full admission to the festival program, opulent private villa lodging, daily full-board meals, and round-trip domestic transfers, starts at USD 6,900 for a three-night stay for two at Soneva Fushi. Additionally, the package fee will be discounted by an additional 10% for reservations booked before August 31, 2023.

The earnings from the sale of SOUL celebration tickets will be donated to the Soneva Foundation and the ORGANIC INDIA Foundation to assist the creation of projects that have a good influence on the environment, society, and the economy. SOUL Festival is a life-enriching celebration with a purpose.

Sonu Shivdasani, CEO and co-founder of Soneva, said, "We are really happy to organize the first edition of SOUL Festival at Soneva Fushi. "Wellness permeates everything we do at Soneva: our sustainable, barefoot philosophy, our breathtaking natural settings, our delectable yet health-focused cuisine, and our life-changing guest experiences. I am eager to welcome the lineup of excellent wellness experts to our shores and look forward to exploring every aspect of health and wellbeing through the festival's remarkable program.

"SOUL Festival is a rare opportunity to experience a deeply immersive journey with some of the world's leaders in wellness, health, and regeneration," festival director Chris Deckker says.This extraordinary festival retreat is unlike any other in the world, and it is being held on one of the most gorgeous Islands in the Maldives. It will feature keynote presentations, interactive panels, immersive workshops, private dinners, and remote Island experiences.

Soneva Fushi is conveniently accessible via Maafaru International Airport in the Noonu Atoll or Velana International Airport in the nation's capital Malé. Every stay at Soneva Fushi also invites visitors to indulge in Soneva's signature experiences and award-winning services, such as Barefoot Guardians on duty around-the-clock to anticipate requests, transformative wellness treatments at Soneva Soul, rare, one-of-a-kind island experiences, and an exciting schedule of activities at The Den, one of the biggest kids' areas in the area.