The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
Where Purpose Meets Possibility: From 19 to 22 September 2025, the Fari Islands Festival invites guests to one extraordinary celebration designed to awaken every sense
Born from the Fari Islands’ founding vision as “The Home of Island Artistry,” where ‘Fari’ (“beautiful” in Dhivehi) captures not just scenic wonder but the deeper beauty of cultural connection, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives and Patina Maldives unite in their shared commitment to unveil the complete programme for the inaugural Fari Islands Festival, taking place from 19 to 22 September 2025.
This groundbreaking three-day celebration brings together global visionaries alongside “Fari Voices”— a curated community of regional changemakers who are reshaping their respective fields— promising to inspire and connect across the Fari Islands archipelago, where creativity and consciousness shape a new kind of celebration.
Set within two visionary resorts – Ritz-Carlton Maldives and Patina Maldives – and shaped by five interconnected pillars: Culinary Artistry, Sonic Immersion, Nature Amplified, Body, Mind & Soul, and Creative Artistry, the festival reflects Fari Islands’ founding spirit of celebrating nature, craft and connection. By embracing cultural, ecological and emotional intelligence, the Fari Islands Festival seeks to redefine what a luxury gathering can stand for while giving back to the community that makes these waters home.
Gibbs Kuguru
Fari Islands: An Evolving Canvas of Connection and Craft
Newly revealed highlights include collaborations with celebrated names across wellness, conservation, culinary and design.
Olive Ridley Project
Nature Amplified: Renowned marine scientist and National Geographic Explorer Gibbs Kuguru joins forces with the internationally acclaimed Olive Ridley Project—a pioneering organisation dedicated to protecting sea turtles and their habitats across the Indian Ocean through rescue, rehabilitation, research, and education. Guests will have the opportunity to support the initiative directly through donations, amplifying the impact of their experience and becoming advocates for marine stewardship in their home environments.
Culinary Artistry: Nutritionist and wellness advocate Rosemary Ferguson will host two intimate wellness-focused lunches, one at Wok Society, Patina Maldives and another at La Locanda, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives. Centred around seasonal balance and nourishment for the final quarter of the year, her offerings extend to guests who join her lunches with wellness access at the Health Club by Rose and curated juices available throughout the festival at Fari Marina Village.
Mixology Artistry: Danico Bar, one of Paris’s most influential cocktail destinations listed on World’s 50 Best Bars, will take over the islands’ bars with their signature flair. Alongside nightly showcases, guests are invited to a rare cocktail masterclass featuring their iconic Chicha Morada, offering an insider look into world-class craft.
Body, Mind & Soul: Allies of Skin, known for their science-led skincare, will guide intimate workshops designed to restore balance through rituals that nurture both skin and self, empowering participants to champion personal wellbeing beyond the festival.
Creative Artistry: Singapore-based STPI Creative Workshop and Gallery will host a series of beginner-friendly craft sessions at both resorts, creating moments of joyful expression through tactile hands-on artistry that sparks new perspectives guests can carry back to their communities.
A Daily Rhythm of Discovery
Each morning begins with a grounding Wellness by Bamford ritual, inviting guests to arrive in presence and intention. Days unfold into ocean excursions with Gibbs Kuguru and Olive Ridley Project, creative workshops with STPI, wellness moments curated by Rosemary Ferguson and meaningful dialogues with Fari Voices’ regional changemakers.
Throughout the festival, guests will find fresh juices by Rosemary at Fari Marina Village, while cocktail enthusiasts can discover the craft of world-class mixology through exclusive sessions hosted by Danico or Nutmeg & Clove.
These daily rituals invite guests to slow down, engage deeply, and take away more than memories — nurturing a sense of purpose that extends far beyond the islands, fostering cultural understanding and inspiring actionable change in daily life.
Evenings of Immersion and Reflection
Kim Turnbull
As daylight fades, the islands transform into vibrant gatherings that weave together sound, space, and story. The opening night begins with internationally celebrated poet, author, and artist Rupi Kaur—whose profound works on love, loss, trauma, and healing have touched millions worldwide— delivering a special performance at Skyspace Amarta, an art installation by James Turrell.
The second evening unfolds at EAU Bar at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, where Kim Turnbull’s DJ set merges with guest bar takeovers from Danico and Nutmeg & Clove, creating a spirited convergence of sound and flavour.
The festival reaches its crescendo on the final evening at Fari Marina Village with the Fari Marina Fiesta, featuring a live set by French multi-instrumentalist and electronic music virtuoso FKJ (French Kiwi Juice), known for his soulful blend of jazz, funk, and electronic sounds that create deeply immersive musical journeys, followed by a closing performance from Rupi Kaur beneath the stars.
Rupi Kaur – credit amrita singh
Where Two Worlds Flow as One
Just as the Fari Islands broke the traditional “one island, one resort” model to create an interconnected archipelago. Patina embodies artistic curiosity and forward-thinking luxury, while The Ritz-Carlton offers timeless refinement guided by the rhythm of the Circle of Life. Together, they form a rare destination where guests are encouraged to pause, feel, and connect.
Supported by the pioneering Fari Campus, a revolutionary hospitality initiative that represents the Maldives’ first dedicated island for staff accommodation, education, and community development. More than just housing, Fari Campus embodies a commitment to investing in people through comprehensive skills development and career advancement opportunities for local Maldivian talent.
“At The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, we honour beauty in detail and depth,” shares Oscar Postma, General Manager. “The Fari Islands Festival reflects that spirit — a space where creativity, connection and culture come to life.”
Patina Maldives Celebrations
“This festival is our shared invitation to engage with presence and purpose,” adds Anthony Gill, General Manager of Patina Maldives. “It’s about exploring new perspectives through taste, movement, stories and encounters that transform you into an agent of positive change.”
More than a curated itinerary, the Fari Islands Festival reflects reflects Fari Islands’ commitment to honouring people, place and possibility. This means giving back to the Maldives by strengthening cultural bridges, supporting sustainable systems, and empowering guests to become informed advocates for the communities and ecosystems that make these islands extraordinary.
Reserve a stay at Fari Islands Festival at The Ritz Carlton Maldives or Patina Maldives.
Experience the journey on Instagram or visit fari-islands.com.
