Celebrations

Auroville Village Action’s Women’s Day inspires inclusion Imagine a scene bursting with vibrant energy, a gathering of over 500 women and 50 children, all united by a common goal.

February is the time when we celebrate Mother’s birthday and the birthday of Auroville, as well as, this year, the ‘Golden Day’, and we enjoy a plethora of events and inaugurations.

The 15th August is always a special day in Auroville, but this 15th was particularly so as it marked the 150th anniversary of Sri Aurobindo’s birth and 75 years of India’s independence.

International Youth Day is celebrated annually on the 12th August globally, and marks YouthLink’s largest annual event in Auroville. This year it was celebrated around the world, focusing on the theme of “Intergenerational Solidarity'', which it remains ever so important to be reminded of, even within the Auroville context.

One of the most popular images of Auroville in the local press and social media is that of the bonfires in the Amphitheatre that are organized annually to celebrate Auroville’s and Sri Aurobindo’s birthdays.

Special events are celebrated in all parts of the world. Have you ever been in a big city, like Paris or London, when they are celebrating something like Christmas or the New Year?

The occasion was celebrated with song, dance and poetry from around Europe

Beginning in 2014, Aurovilians began to envision and plan for the big celebrations. Here is how they did it.

Fabienne of Outreach Media, Doris of Auroville Video, Serena, an independent Aurovilian filmmaker and Valentina, who is editing the material, talk about the challenges and successes of covering the birthday events.

Bindu reflects upon Auroville as a social experiment.

On February 28th 2018, Auroville will celebrate the anniversary of its 50th year. The occasion presents an unprecedented opportunity to honour the birth and vision of Auroville, to increase the recognition of its relevance for India and the world, to attract people of all ages from India and abroad to visit Auroville and participate in the events, and to document and share its journey of 50 years.

On the evening of 29th February, Deepti Tiwari gave a much appreciated talk, the fourth and last in a series, organised by Cinema Paradiso, on the theme of consciousness which have been given by different Aurovilians.

On Auronet, Auroville’s internal internet, a clock is already counting down the days to Auroville’s 50th birthday. However, not everybody is enthusiastically awaiting what is being planned for the event.

On a steamy Saturday afternoon in August, Auroville’s Botanical Gardens threw open its gates to the public to come and celebrate its 15th birthday.

Six years ago, Auroville Village Action (AVAG) organized its first Women’s Solidarity Festival. Thousands of women from AVAG’s Women’s Self-Help Groups came together in an event that was described as unique, path-breaking and intensely motivating for all participants.

The story of the Tsunamika doll is well-known to Aurovilians and friends of Auroville. The Tsunamika came from Auroville’s Upasana design and garment unit when the people involved felt moved to help alleviate the tragedy of the December 2004 tsunami.

In 2009, the World Bamboo Congress in Thailand declared the 18th of September to be World Bamboo Day (WBD). This day is intended to raise awareness of bamboo, one of the best renewable resources, as one possibility for meeting the growing needs of our global population.