Ric Berger: A Pioneer of Drawing Education and Interlingua in Switzerland

Early Life and Artistic Formation

Ric Berger was born on August 16, 1894, in Yens, Switzerland. From a young age, he showed a keen interest in the visual arts, which later shaped his professional path. In 1913, he began working as a primary school teacher in Corcelles-près-Payerne, a role he would hold for fifteen years. His passion for education and drawing led him to the École des Beaux-Arts in Lausanne, where he obtained diplomas in artistic and decorative drawing and art history. This formal training provided the theoretical and practical foundation for his future contributions to art education and historical research.

Contributions to Art Education and Swiss Heritage

Berger became a leading figure in art instruction in Switzerland. His teaching manuals, such as Didactique du dessin(1934), became key resources for educators. In Le Dessin libre (1936), he emphasized personal creativity, encouraging a more expressive approach to drawing. His Manuel d’écriture courante et ornementale (1937) connected calligraphy with visual art, underlining the pedagogical value of handwriting and ornamentation.

During the 1950s, Berger wrote numerous illustrated articles for Swiss newspapers, focusing on historical monuments and regional architecture. These writings culminated in works like Monuments historiques vaudois, promenades dans nos vieilles pierres (1942) and La contrée de Morges et ses monuments historiques (1957). His ability to present local history in an accessible way helped foster cultural appreciation among readers. In 1960, Berger won a national competition to create a guide on Swiss castles, visiting and documenting over 500 sites for his influential publication Les Châteaux de la Suisse.

Linguistic Engagement and the Interlingua Movement

Alongside his artistic work, Berger played a key role in the development of planned international languages. Initially an advocate of Esperanto and later Ido, he eventually supported Occidental, contributing to its promotion and the decision to rename it Interlingue to increase its international appeal.

With the launch of Interlingua in 1951, Berger became one of its most active promoters. From 1959 to 1963, he served as secretary general of the Union Mundial pro Interlingua (UMI). In 1966, he founded a publishing house dedicated to Interlingua materials and went on to edit the Revista de Interlingua. His most ambitious project was the creation of a 40-volume Interlingua encyclopedia, published between the 1960s and 1980s, covering topics in linguistics, science, and general culture.

Legacy and Impact

Ric Berger’s work bridged disciplines and cultures. In education, he pioneered modern methods for teaching drawing. As a historian, he documented and celebrated Swiss heritage. In linguistics, he championed the idea of neutral international communication through Interlingua.

His most important contributions include:

• Didactique du dessin (1934), a reference in art education;

• Le Dessin libre (1936), promoting expressive drawing techniques;

• Monuments historiques vaudois (1942), preserving local architectural history;

• Les Châteaux de la Suisse (1960), an extensive survey of Swiss castles;

• His editorial work in the Revista de Interlingua and the Interlingua Encyclopedia.

Ric Berger died in Lausanne in 1984. His interdisciplinary work continues to influence educators, linguists, and historians across Europe and beyond.