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20 August 2024
An association that promotes nudism in Germany has sounded the alarm about the future of naturism in the country, due to a significant decline in interest. The fear of nudists? Being photographed secretly by other people.
Naturism as a tradition
In Germany, naturism is much more than a simple habit: it is considered a real tradition, like going to the beach with coolers full of cold pasta and stuffed sandwiches. This summer lifestyle, free from swimsuits, has deep roots, dating back to the early twentieth century. It is linked to the Lebensreform movement, or "life reform", which promoted a lifestyle closer to nature, including healthy eating, sexual liberation and alternative medicine. From here was born the Nacktkultur, or "nude body culture", later renamed Freikörperkultur, known today by the acronym FKK. This acronym today indicates nudist beaches. Initially banned by the Nazi regime, it was later accepted and even embraced for its exaltation of the athletic body and references to nature and folklore.
In the 1960s and 1970s, naturism spread widely across Europe, especially in the GDR and the Balkans. Croatia, in fact, is still one of the places where naturism is most widespread and practiced. In East Germany, nudism thrived as a harmless and tolerated alternative to the rigid rules imposed by the state, tolerated by the communist regime. Gregor Gysi himself, former leader of the far-left party Die Linke, argued that being surrounded by naked people of all ages and body types, without shame, can have a liberating effect on insecurities related to the body: issues that body positive movements are still struggling to overcome today.
Germany is therefore one of the most tolerant countries in the world when it comes to public nudity. There are many areas reserved for nudists, both in parks and on beaches, and there is widespread acceptance of the coexistence of clothed and unclothed people. However, enthusiasm for naturism seems to be on the wane, especially among younger people.
Germans are no longer into naturism
This summer, the German Association for Free Body Culture (DFK), which brings together several naturist groups, announced to its members that events planned for August to celebrate its founding anniversary would be canceled due to lack of interest. DFK membership has declined dramatically, from 65,000 25 years ago to fewer than 34,000 today, and many of those who remain are losing interest.
According to Alfred Sigloch, president of DFK, there are many reasons for the decline, but the main reason is related to the pervasiveness of digital technology, which makes some people reluctant to "show themselves." Sigloch told German media that many nudists fear being secretly photographed by people using smartphones or drones, worried that the images could be shared via chat rooms or social media. He also highlighted how growing aesthetic pressure, fueled by platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, is making people increasingly uncomfortable with the idea of undressing.
The decline of naturism in Germany, once considered an integral part of the country’s culture and tradition, thus reflects the social and technological changes of recent decades. The growing concern for one’s body image and the fear of being exposed online without consent are eroding a practice that, for many, represented a form of freedom and connection with nature.
