Soul Unveils Full Line-Up for Debut Maldives Festival

A global lineup of visionaries, thought leaders, and wellness pioneers will visit the Maldives from September 29 to October 8, 2023, thanks to SOUL, which has released its enthralling festival schedule. The intimate festival will be an immersive exploration of health and wellness in all its forms, from personal to planetary, at the award-winning luxury resort Soneva Fushi, located within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is a partnership with pioneering hospitality brand Soneva and international wellness enterprise ORGANIC INDIA.

The first edition of SOUL is scheduled to include issues such as the mind, body, and soul, regeneration, sustainability, and more with the participation of 18 prominent wellness experts from across the world. The list of speakers from around the world includes award-winning screenwriter, activist, and documentary filmmaker Damon Gameau; Goi Peace Prize winner Bruce Lipton; New York Times bestselling author Jo Marchant; pioneer of Ayurvedic aromatherapy Farida Irani; thirteen-time best-selling author and founder of Bio Blends Dr. Libby Weaver; lifestyle ambassador and supporter of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Fit India Movement' Luke Coutinho; and award-winning screen. The first Western Ayurvedic practitioner in India, Dr. Robert Svoboda; award-winning science journalist Gaia Vince; clinical psychologist and mindfulness specialist Shauna Shapiro; renowned spiritual figures Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati; actress and biohacking specialist Davinia Taylor; naturopathic doctor and doctor of Oriental medicine Dr. Lilly-Marie Blecher; anxiety and mindfulness coach Amanda Huggins; and medical.

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.

Throughout the duration of the festival, visitors can awaken with the Maldivian sun during group yoga and meditation on the sandbank, achieve new fitness objectives with boot camps at the island jungle gym, discover the Indian Ocean's hidden gems during guided paddle boarding, learn the craft of hot glassblowing, or gain knowledge about gut health during expert-led nutrition masterclasses. With daily healing rituals, private consultations with renowned Soneva Soul doctors and visiting wellness experts, and enlightening panel discussions, guests can reconnect and feel revitalized throughout the day.

The Neuroscience of Wellness with Bruce Lipton, Emeran Mayor, Shamini Jain, Paul Salins, and Farida Irani is one of the program's standout sessions. Others include 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, Soneva Fushi visitors can watch SOUL's sessions online in addition to the live events that will take place there.

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. Additional 10% off the package pricing will be applied to reservations made before May 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, from our life-affirming natural settings, to our exquisite but health-focused cuisine, to 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, unique island experiences, and an exciting schedule of kids' activities at The Den, one of the biggest kid-friendly areas in the area.