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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

THE INF JUBILEE AT ZURICH - EUROPEAN NATURIST HISTORY 1

The International Naturist Federation, as already briefly reported, celebrated its ten years of existence on the 23-24 August, 1963 at Zurich.

The proceedings were opened with a press conference at the Carlton Elite Hotel where the INF President, Erik Holm of Denmark, reported on the development of Naturism during the INF’s first decade.

A banquet in the evening was attended by those members of the Central Committee present, as well as a number of guests: those included Dr. Richard Ehrmann of Vienna (first President of the INF); Edi Fankhauser  (ONS) and Etienne Grenier (SNF), Presidents of the Swiss National Associations; Thomas Haas, chairman of the Zurich club “Lichtwärts”; and Dr. Rudolf Gantert, Vice-Chairman of the German Naturist Association.

President Holm subsequently spoke on the subject of “International Naturism” at a capacity meeting in the “Volkshaus” and received a most enthusiastic reception. A film entitled “The Gate to Paradise” followed, introduced by producer J. M. Sorge of Freiburg, Western Germany, who also spoke on the making of the picture and on naturist films in general. The show which had previously been exhibited at the Hanover Convention in 1962 earned the spectators warm applause.

Thomas Haas  then called on those interested in naturism to take the final plunge and join a club. The evening was concluded with some songs rendered by members of the Swiss Naturist Youth.

IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS BY THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE

The INF Central Committee convened for a working session next day. The weather proved very fine and made an open-air meeting on the wonderful grounds of the “Lichtwärts” club possible. The following took part: President Holm, General-Secretary Kielinger, Vice-President Ise Dissen of Holland, Vice-President Beissbarth of Germany, General-Secretary of the French Naturist Association Simon  and the INF Treasurer Lisl Ehrmann  of Austria. Members of the INF Legal Commission present were: Dr. Gantert, Dr. Weiss and Dr. Erni.

President Holm opened the proceedings with a memorial address for the deceased Vice-President Erhard Wächtler  and at the same time welcomed Rudolf Beissbarth, his successor.

Among the resolutions passed was one stating that the INF would not concern itself any further with “Tropica” on Corsica. The club having now been accepted into the FFN, the French Naturist Association becomes primarily responsible.

A whole complex of further questions was exhaustively gone into, including:
1) Preparations for the 1964 Congress in France.
2) The INF Handbook (Holiday Guide).
3) Alterations to the Statutes which must be finalized before the 1964 Congress.
4) Planned changes in the INF Passport, etc.


It was unanimously decided to approach the American Nudist Organizations with the request that steps to curb the rash of pseudo naturist publications which broken out there be taken.
T
he Americans were also to be asked to exercise more care in their propaganda methods among the community at large because of the unwelcome and deleterious publicity which had followed an open theatrical performance at the last ASA Convention.

The Committee agreed to the President’s dissolving the INF working group hitherto known as the “International Photographers’ Association” (I.P.A.). When the Hanover Congress decided not to recognize naturist magazines on behalf of the INF in any circumstances, the IPA lost whatever significance it had previously possessed as its main purpose had been to form a united front of reputable naturist photographers aimed at preventing the sale of pictures taken at naturist camps to other than authorized magazines.

It was decided to mark the jubilee by offering a prize of 1,000 DM for the best naturist propaganda-film. The German Naturist Association will in all probability increase the prize to 2,000 DM.

The Central Committee members presented the INF with a conference-bell as a personal souvenir to commemorate the jubilee.

President Erik Holm informed the Central Committee about his having to relinquish his post at the next World Congress. He urged the members to ensure that nominations for his successor were made in good time.

Representatives of different countries were present to convey best wishes for the INF and many congratulatory letters and telegrams were received.

The “Lichtwärts” Naturist Club celebrated its thirtieth anniversary at the same time as the INF Jubilee but very unfortunately, the dedication of its lovely new swimming baths had to be postponed because of adverse weather. The INF guests were nonetheless very impressed with the magnificent, well-appointed and spotlessly-kept ground at Zurich. A string-quartet composed of Zurich naturists gave a wonderful concert of chamber music beside the pool which constituted a unique experience for the listeners.

In conclusion, Dr. Ehrmann, a former INF President showed coloured slides and short films in the evening. The latter included shots of individual INF congresses during the last decade. It all added up to a programme of particular interest for those “Veterans” of the movement who happened to be present.

(Source: Sun and Health, International Edition, Vol. 28, February 1964)




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