Issue Nº325 – In Memoriam

Lambert Zirnheld, an Aurovilian of French origin who lived and worked in Auroville from 1979 to approximately 1989, passed away in France on July 12 at the age of 76 after a short struggle with cancer.

Lambert came to Auroville with his partner Vidya and their young baby Lila. He was the enthusiastic and quite professional football coach of the young Aurovilians and ran a flourishing farm in Douceur community. He was the one who gave to the old Auroville bakery, then still in Kottakarai, the recipe for French bread and the much appreciated French croissants.

Lambert’s daughter, Lila, continues living in Auroville with her husband and their two children.

Marika Clerici-Bagozzi of Samasti community passed away on June 30th at her house in Samasti at the age of 79. She had been unwell for some time.

Most Aurovilians will remember Marika practicing homeopathy at Pitanga, giving homeopathic remedies to humans and pets, having herself a large feline ‘family’, as she called them, plus a few dogs. Few were aware of her past as an Italian ‘grand dame’, a classical singer, whose noble ancestry went back to the XIIth century crusades. She hailed from Milano, living in a house that was filled with art treasures. But her decision to join Auroville, in 1984, met with opposition from her family. This lasted long. But hers was a conscious choice, leaving behind a glamorous lifestyle, properties and family – for that Lady who doesn’t want me yet, quella Signora che ancora non mi vuole, as she used to say about the Mother.

Together with her friends Anna-Maria and Paulette, Marika was involved in the drafting of the first concept note for a preliminary master plan and a CIRHU album, and putting up a preliminary exhibition. She also became involved in assisting those in need of psychiatric help, and was known for helping out people in need, especially workers, advancing or gifting money, and so fulfilling the Catholic creed of the wealthy sharing with the less fortunate. She was also an active member of the Italian Pavilion group.

Marika’s remains were buried at the Adventure burial and cremation grounds on July 6th.