Axel

It is with a heavy heart that we would like to inform the community of the passing of Axel Johann Björnsson.

Axel passed away peacefully in his sleep in the night of the 14th of February in his home in Vilcabamba, Ecuador at the age of 59, after a long struggle due to a failed surgery. He was cremated on the 19th of February in Loja, Ecuador, in the presence of his girlfriend, his sister, and oldest daughter.

His funeral is currently being planned for July, in the presence of his entire family in his home country, Iceland.

Axel joined Auroville in 2005 and was, as many may recall, not only an enthusiastic actor in the Auroville theatre group, but also a maths teacher at Transition school.

He had left Auroville in the beginning of 2013 for a new adventure in Ecuador, South America. This is where he built up his own business, a restaurant, which quickly became the place to be in town.

Like many of you will remember, he was always a joyful and happy person, there are definitely many moments of laughter he will be remembered by. He will be greatly missed by us all for his unique sense of humour and joyous ways.

We bid farewell to our dear friend with the following words...

I am free

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free,
I’m following paths God made for me
I took his hand, I heard him call
Then turned, and bid farewell to all

I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to sing, to play
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found my peace ... at close of play

And if my parting left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened... deep with sorrow
I wish you sunshine of tomorrow
My life’s been full I’ve savoured much
Good friends, good times
A loved one’s touch

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and peace to thee
God wanted me now
He set me free.

Sawitri, daughter of Sonja and Krishnaprem from Angiras Garden,
informed us of the passing of Axel, her step-father

Add your recollections

If you would feel like, you can send us your recollections or photographs, so they can be added to the page in order to commemorate years of dedication to Auroville and its ideals.

This page has been published in order to create a space of remembrance for all of those who lived, struggled and enjoyed in Auroville, making a conscious effort to manifest the Dream of Human Unity that is in the process of emerging.