International Zone

The ‘Dreamweaving the Crown’ is part of a process which attempts to bring down to the ground the Galaxy and the Master Plan in the form of a Detailed Development Plan (DDP).

Knowing the end approaches He asks what we should all ask – What would I truly wish to do With the rest of my life? How do I make my time on this planet count?

A new team – Axum, Elene, and Malcolm – has recently stepped forward to manage the African Pavilion, one of the more prominent pavilions in Auroville’s International Zone, due both to its high-visibility location next to the Visitors’ Centre and its regular cultural events.

Over the years, Auroville has received much support from outside.

Dear friends, I am happy to read the ‘Views on the International Zone’ in a past issue. May I respond as one who has been part of the International Zone Group in Auroville since the early days… keep this ‘window’ open and let inputs come from round the globe!

In its March 2019 issue, Auroville Today published an interview with Andrea Cammarata on the International Zone (IZ). He explained that the plan now is to build continental and regional clusters of nations and cultures in the International Zone.

The International Zone Coordination Team shared the International Zone’s latest developments and future plans in an open community meeting in January.

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

From comments on Auronet and casual conversations, it is evident that quite a number of Aurovilians are not looking forward to the 50th birthday celebrations.

As a prelude to next year’s Golden Jubilee, a series of events took place in the nation’s capital in November to create awareness of what Auroville is, has achieved and aims to become.

With 55 countries, about 3,000 ethnic groups and about 2,000 languages, Africa is a continent of massive diversity. It is said that the genetic difference between two Africans is often more than the genetic difference between a Chinese and a Czech.

The Auroville Language Lab opened its new building in February 2017. Auroville Today reports on the developments.

The Korean Pavilion Group is amongst the most active pavilion groups in Auroville. Hye Jeong, who has been living in Auroville since 2002, explains what is being done and why.

Louis Cohen, who first came to Auroville in 1971, is one of the original pioneers. He continues to be very active in the development of the town.

Two of the major challenges facing the community at present are a fragile economy and a severe lack of low-priced accommodation. Clearly, the two are interlinked.

In 1982, in a small hut in Auromodèle community, a new garment unit was born, Auromodèle, employing three tailors and two helpers. In later years it was renamed Auromode Atelier and in 1985 moved to Auroshilpam in Auroville’s Industrial Zone.

The third foundation stone of the Pavilion of France was laid on August 15th, 22 years after the laying of the first Foundation Stone by J.R.D.

Murthy has been running Ayarpadi Farm in Auroville for the last 15 years. He talks to Auroville Today about the challenges and rewards.

In the afternoon of February 21, a festive ceremony of the European pavilion groups took place attended by 160 people. In a beautiful atmosphere – concentrated and charged with the aspiration for freedom, peace and unity on the European continent and for the world at large, but also light and cheerful with impromptu musical performances – a tree was planted to mark the beginning of further development in the European area of Auroville’s International Zone.

Many visitors to Auroville have heard the ‘Russian Singing Bells’, a set of differently sized brass plates of rectangular shape, which are hit with several kinds of mallets.

Is Bharat Nivas coming alive again? For some years the area, which houses the activities of the Indian pavilion, has seemed dormant, but today old structures are being demolished and new building projects underway.

The goal of Acres for Auroville is to secure, consolidate, and protect the land in the Matrimandir and International Zone areas. The campaign is a joint effort of Auroville International France with Lands for Auroville Unified (LFAU) in coordination with the LCC (Land Coordination Committee).

In the spirit of ‘Unity in diversity’, Auroville International (AVI) invited all AVI members and Aurovilians on 15th February to a walking tour through the International Zone and a re-dedication of the Zone in an effort to rekindle its development.

The Auroville International (AVI) Centres held their biannual meeting in Auroville in February. After the meetings, some members of the new Board met with Auroville Today to discuss how they perceive their role, the main challenges facing them, and their hopes for the future.