Latest news with #FKK
The Independent
10-03-2025
- The Independent
City to ban people from wearing clothing on nudist beaches
Clothed visitors to beaches in the German city of Rostock could face bans from nudist beaches. The third largest city on the German Baltic coast is home to 15km of white sand beach, which is divided into clothing optional, mixed and clothed sections. The new ruling follows local authorities who have 'received numerous complaints from people who felt harassed in the naturist (or nudist) areas,' Rostock Tourism's Moritz Naumann told The Independent. By defining these areas as exclusively for textile-free sunbathing and swimming, the beach warden now has the ability to issue bans in case of conflict, he said. Mr Naumann said that the ban is only to be used in 'case of conflict'. He added: 'It should be noted that not every situation where someone wears clothes in this area directly leads to a conflict. The main focus is to protect those who genuinely feel disturbed.' Offensive comments, staring or the taking of photographs or video are all broadly regarded as inappropriate etiquette in nudist spaces. Mr Naumann added that Rostock city authorities have observed that 'the number of people practicing it today is decreasing. 'Therefore, we have reduced the number of naturist beaches from 37 to 27 blocks with the new regulation.' He added: 'It is important to us that every guest at our beach feels comfortable, especially in sensitive areas, and we hope that the new regulation will meet the needs of our visitors. 'Naturism has a long tradition in Rostock and is appreciated by many locals as well as guests.' While nudism, known as 'Freikörperkultur' (FKK) or 'free body culture,' has traditionally been popular throughout Germany, enthusiasm for the practice appears to have fallen out of style with younger generations. In addition to beaches, the movement – which dates back to the 19th-century – has seen nudism extended to parks and even hiking trails across the country. In June 2024, the German Association for Free Body Culture (DFK) – an umbrella organisation for several naturist interest groups – told its members that anniversary celebrations would be cancelled due to a lack of interest. Group membership has fallen from 65,000 people 25 years ago to fewer than 34,000 in 2024. In 2023, city officials in Berlin ruled that all swimmers would be permitted to swim topless following an equality row. The ruling came after a woman took legal action in response to being ejected from an open-air pool in the German capital for sunbathing topless. As a consequence of the complaint, the Berliner Bäderbetriebe, which runs the city's public pools, changed its clothing rules accordingly, saying that the ruling established 'equal rights for all Berliners, whether male, female or non-binary'.
The Independent
07-03-2025
- The Independent
German city to ban people from wearing clothing on nudist beaches
Clothed visitors to beaches in the German city of Rostock could face bans from nudist beaches. The third largest city on the German Baltic coast is home to 15km of white sand beach, which is divided into clothing optional, mixed and clothed sections. The new ruling follows local authorities who have 'received numerous complaints from people who felt harassed in the naturist (or nudist) areas,' Rostock Tourism's Moritz Naumann told The Independent. By defining these areas as exclusively for textile-free sunbathing and swimming, the beach warden now has the ability to issue bans in case of conflict, he said. Mr Naumann said that the ban is only to be used in 'case of conflict'. He added: 'It should be noted that not every situation where someone wears clothes in this area directly leads to a conflict. The main focus is to protect those who genuinely feel disturbed.' Offensive comments, staring or the taking of photographs or video are all broadly regarded as inappropriate etiquette in nudist spaces. Mr Naumann added that Rostock city authorities have observed that 'the number of people practicing it today is decreasing. 'Therefore, we have reduced the number of naturist beaches from 37 to 27 blocks with the new regulation.' He added: 'It is important to us that every guest at our beach feels comfortable, especially in sensitive areas, and we hope that the new regulation will meet the needs of our visitors. 'Naturism has a long tradition in Rostock and is appreciated by many locals as well as guests.' While nudism, known as 'Freikörperkultur' (FKK) or 'free body culture,' has traditionally been popular throughout Germany, enthusiasm for the practice appears to have fallen out of style with younger generations. In addition to beaches, the movement – which dates back to the 19th-century – has seen nudism extended to parks and even hiking trails across the country. In June 2024, the German Association for Free Body Culture (DFK) – an umbrella organisation for several naturist interest groups – told its members that anniversary celebrations would be cancelled due to a lack of interest. Group membership has fallen from 65,000 people 25 years ago to fewer than 34,000 in 2024. In 2023, city officials in Berlin ruled that all swimmers would be permitted to swim topless following an equality row. The ruling came after a woman took legal action in response to being ejected from an open-air pool in the German capital for sunbathing topless. As a consequence of the complaint, the Berliner Bäderbetriebe, which runs the city's public pools, changed its clothing rules accordingly, saying that the ruling established 'equal rights for all Berliners, whether male, female or non-binary'.
Euronews
03-03-2025
- Euronews
Bare all or be gone: Why swimsuits could soon be banned from German nudist beaches
Hoping to get away with less than the full monty on your next trip to Germany? Think again, say officials in the Baltic Sea city of Rostock. Last week, the city introduced a new regulation allowing beach wardens to ban visitors who refuse to strip down in designated nudist areas. The measure comes in response to 'numerous complaints from people who felt harassed in the naturist areas,' Moritz Naumann from Rostock Tourism told CNN. However, he emphasized that the rule is only intended to be enforced 'in case of conflict.' While banning clothes at a nudist beach might sound redundant, the decision highlights an ongoing challenge: ensuring that naturist spaces remain comfortable for those who embrace the lifestyle. Germany's love affair with nudism is fading Naturism has deep roots in Germany. FKK or Freikörperkultur (Free Body Culture) dates to the late 19th century. The movement encourages adherents to cast off their clothing and participate in healthy activities to connect with the natural world, promoting a philosophy of body acceptance and harmony with nature. For many Germans, social nudity has been seen as a normal part of life. Beaches, parks, and even hiking trails have long had designated nude areas in the country. Today, however, the practice is fading among younger generations. 'The number of people practicing it today is decreasing,' Naumann noted, adding that Rostock has reduced its official naturist beaches from 37 to 27 zones as a result. What's acceptable behaviour at a nudist beach? Anyone curious about naturism should be aware of specific rules and expectations. All body types are welcome and encouraged, but staring, taking photos, and making unsolicited comments are strictly off-limits. And while designated beaches embrace social nudity, the practice isn't accepted everywhere. Tourists who have disregarded these boundaries have sparked controversy not just in Germany, but also in Portugal and destinations as far afield as Namibia. In Rostock, the 15-kilometre coastline is carefully divided into naturist, mixed-use and clothing-only beaches, ensuring that all visitors have a space where they feel comfortable. But for those stepping onto a designated nudist beach, one rule is now clear: bare all or be prepared to leave.
