Dear Friends,
The
Central Committee has requested me to make a report at the beginning of
this Congress of the general situation of Naturism in the World.
Reports from the different Federations that have been given you outline a great number of valuable information on this subject. They prove the great vitality of Naturism and also that there are a lot of devoted people among us. They specify the expansion of Naturism in a society that accepts it more easily than in the past. These reports outline also the difficulties we should overcome in the countries where Naturism is not very active, as well as the risks which are the consequence of a rapid expansion in several other countries.
Since the last Congress in 1970, we have observed that all the Naturist Federations have intensified their action vis-à-vis the public and the local and national Authorities.
Naturism, in a general way, is no more clandestine: public conferences, press conferences, open doors Day, television and radio broadcasting have increased. Small films on Naturism have also been created.
A great number of Federations outline that the World Days of Naturism have been profitable to our Movement, not only in regard to public opinion, but also to club members who have thus discovered that they were not disapproved-of by society. The International Swimming Competitions held at Lyon and at Rotterdam have been a great success on a sport level, but I believe that their strength and unity it gave to Naturists themselves. Same was true at the Leisure Biennial in Geneva.
Wherever they are organized, Naturists have increased their expression means. The club bulletins are no more confidential and they are sent to local Authorities. Real naturist magazines are of great quality and they are often under the control of Federations, which is a guarantee. They are different from other nude and sex magazines, which is fundamental to our Movement. The whole Press now makes the difference between Naturism and any other nude demonstrations. They even put out editorials in favor of Naturism. This is, of course, a great victory to all the Naturists.
Essays on Naturism are continuously being made. The group of the University of Utrecht is progressing slowly but surely. At the University of Paris Nudism is a subject of study. After “Naturism and Nudism” (NL), after “Nudist Society” (US), we now have the French book “Garment and Nude” (Le Vêtement et le Nu) that takes place among the modern fundamental achievements dealing with nudity practice. Encyclopedia “Winkler Prins” and “Encyclopedia Universales” include definitions on Naturism made out by our friends Bert Evenhuis or Marc-Alain Descamps. Our International Naturist Guide is encountering a great success (congratulations to Edi Fankhauser and René Kielinger) and contains also a definition on Naturism. Several naturist magazines and bulletins have published articles on this subject to which one of our Russian friends spends himself part of his time.
I wish to stress that we deposited a complete file with UNESCO with a request that they accept us as a Direct Co-operating Member. In fact, UNESCO has already recognized Naturism and classifies it in the same category as camping.
2. The present evolution of morals make Naturism more acceptable to the society. The nudity taboo is practically not existing anymore. However, sex free demonstrtaions can give a wrong image of the true and familiar Naturism in the yes of the public opinion and the Authorities. This is a point that will be discussed at this Congress.
We still see at times the Authorities considering Naturism as a "Sex Fair". The Pope thus condemned Naturism in a declaration he made right after the London Congress (the whole Press commented on the religious ceremony at the North Kent Sun Club). Several Federations had then invited Paul VI to come and see for himself what Naturism is, and other Federations contacted the religious authorities. The Dutch Episcopacy had a favourable attitude and the French Catholic Clergy showed a neutral attitude. It is to be noted that the Tunisian Authorities have authorized the practice of Naturism under certain conditions after having contacted the Muslim Authorities of this country.
In fact, difficulties do not come merely from religious opinions, as in the Eastern European Countries -particularly the Governing Authorities- should be better informed on what Naturism really is. This Congress, here in Yugoslavia, should help improvement in this direction and we have, with the help of the Yugoslavian Authorities, invited several official organizations of these countries to contact us at Koversada.
Everywhere now the Federations have contacts with the Governmental Authorities of their country and very often these are particularly good contacts: in Holland, in Belgium, in Switzerland, in Great Britain, in New Zealand, in Australia, in Germany certainly too, in Denmark, in Sweden, in France, etc.
These contacts permitted in most cases a better interpretation of laws relative to morals; for example in Holland or in France and even in South Africa, the problem is now publically and courageously presented. These contacts permitted to publish nude photos without touch-up. Keeping the sex hidden is now considered in several countries such as in France, not so much as the expression of fundamental moral than as the expression of customs, which as all customs can change.
These contacts with the Authorities have often permitted also to obtain authorization to practice Naturism on Governmental properties. We shall come back to this question.
3. In all this evolution, the organized Naturist Movement has greatly increased in the past two years. If ASA registered an even balance of members, we note that in Switzerland the increase is +5%, in the Netherlands +12% to 15%, in Austria +12%, in France +22%, and CCBN writes “record increase”.
We are sure, that the number of non-organized naturists, especially naturist vacationers, has even more increased. For example, Austria announces that they have 10,000 organized members, whereas 150,000 Austrians practise Naturism. We will certainly have to discuss this aspect of our organization tied up to our lack of camps, free beaches, commercialization of Naturism… (This will be discussed separately).
In countries where Naturism is very little developed, improvements are not so obvious. One must wait until Naturism has progressed to such an extent to realize what improvements have been made. However, the Naturists in Brazil are still in existence, same in Spain and our friends in Portugal seem to get near to succeed and this makes us very happy.
These new countries begin to open themselves to Naturist Tourism, which may be the first step to a National Naturist Movement. Our hosting country is an example of such development, as we are glad to welcome the first naturist club with Yugoslavian members, in the large Naturist family.
We wish to see Tunisia –who has recently adopted Naturism in connection with our Movement and under conditions that guarantee the respect of the Naturist Ethics– do the same thing as our Yugoslavian friends. We also have good reasons to hope that another country of the African Continent will do the same.
4. Several Federations say that their clubs take no more members because their camps are getting too small, too few camps are being created because they have no land. Those that have been created are not sufficient anymore. Numerous swimming pools or gymnic saunas have been created in several countries, but they cannot, of course, replace the naturist camp which puts man back in contact with Nature, which is the essential means to practice of Naturism.
This lack in the welcoming organization is certainly a big difficulty. Our Swiss friends write that the pioneer’s way of thinking is nearly lost and everyone wants to come in a well-equipped camp. Financing difficulties are the most important. Our Dutch and Swiss friends, as well as our Italian friends, will certainly tell us of the means they utilize to solve their money problems. It would be well too that the French delegates explain how they built up an editing company and how the SOCNAT has been created. Their experience should benefit to all. We must be aware of the fact that if the clubs and/or the Federations cannot solve this problem, dealers will solve it for themselves under conditions that will not necessarily be the best for Naturism. Dealers will create Naturist Centres mostly in tourist areas for vacationers.
We consider, however, that Naturism should be practiced all year round, every weekend, and it is the creation of camps near towns that we should try to solve first.
It is remarkable that, for the first time, numerous Federations have contacted the Authorities to get authorization to have naturist beaches. Denmark is quite ahead for so doing with numerous and large free beaches; but this is a problem too, and Erik Aggernæs was saying, the creation of beaches with large naturist centres is part of the Government’s plans. Today, the Dutch, the British and the Australians are trying to do so officially. This tendency to request from Government free beaches had never yet been so great. It proves the expansion of Naturism and its need of space.
This need of space, sun and sea, is apparent by the Naturist Tourism which is the theme of this Congress. In order to facilitate travelling of the members, as well as that of the non-organized Naturists, several Federations are in contact with travel agencies. Our Congress should be on occasion of exchange and information gathering on this question which is becoming more and more important.
5. This period of great expansion of Naturism is quite thrilling, but we should stay aware of the problems entailed to the future of Naturism. Success should not prevent us from staying unified. It is quite stimulating to see that in those countries where several Federations were active, a re-establishment of good relations between them took place. This is the case in Belgium and in Switzerland as well as in Italy where our Naturist friends now work and collaborate together. This unity of the Naturist Movement is absolutely essential and we are hoping that in the near future the DFK will again be in complete and true liaison with the INF, this is our wish and that of the German Naturists.
Protection of Naturism as well as its progress should be our aim.
At times we seem to find that we lack volunteers with pioneer's mind, but this is not true everywhere. We should think of the action our friends in South Africa are conducting, of the dynamism of the Australian Naturists, of the perseverance of our friends in Eastern Europe, of all that is every day constructed in the world by the Naturists. Let us think of all that is gained, even in countries where Naturism is a well established fact, like on a French beach, for example, where a group of Naturists have to overcome at the present the hostility of local Authorities in Brittany. Let us think as well at all that remains to be done. I believe then that the Naturists, if well informed, will want to co-operate to the work done by their brothers. This is the best incentive to help our Movement grow in strength all over the World.
There is so much human value in Naturism, so much devotion, that I feel sure that after the discussions of this Congress, we will be able to continue to have Faith in the Future.
Despite the fact that Naturism has long been in existence, it should stay young in heart. Experience comes from past actions and youth has this future ahead.
Let us act with our past experience keeping our heart young!
Reports from the different Federations that have been given you outline a great number of valuable information on this subject. They prove the great vitality of Naturism and also that there are a lot of devoted people among us. They specify the expansion of Naturism in a society that accepts it more easily than in the past. These reports outline also the difficulties we should overcome in the countries where Naturism is not very active, as well as the risks which are the consequence of a rapid expansion in several other countries.
Since the last Congress in 1970, we have observed that all the Naturist Federations have intensified their action vis-à-vis the public and the local and national Authorities.
Naturism, in a general way, is no more clandestine: public conferences, press conferences, open doors Day, television and radio broadcasting have increased. Small films on Naturism have also been created.
A great number of Federations outline that the World Days of Naturism have been profitable to our Movement, not only in regard to public opinion, but also to club members who have thus discovered that they were not disapproved-of by society. The International Swimming Competitions held at Lyon and at Rotterdam have been a great success on a sport level, but I believe that their strength and unity it gave to Naturists themselves. Same was true at the Leisure Biennial in Geneva.
Wherever they are organized, Naturists have increased their expression means. The club bulletins are no more confidential and they are sent to local Authorities. Real naturist magazines are of great quality and they are often under the control of Federations, which is a guarantee. They are different from other nude and sex magazines, which is fundamental to our Movement. The whole Press now makes the difference between Naturism and any other nude demonstrations. They even put out editorials in favor of Naturism. This is, of course, a great victory to all the Naturists.
Essays on Naturism are continuously being made. The group of the University of Utrecht is progressing slowly but surely. At the University of Paris Nudism is a subject of study. After “Naturism and Nudism” (NL), after “Nudist Society” (US), we now have the French book “Garment and Nude” (Le Vêtement et le Nu) that takes place among the modern fundamental achievements dealing with nudity practice. Encyclopedia “Winkler Prins” and “Encyclopedia Universales” include definitions on Naturism made out by our friends Bert Evenhuis or Marc-Alain Descamps. Our International Naturist Guide is encountering a great success (congratulations to Edi Fankhauser and René Kielinger) and contains also a definition on Naturism. Several naturist magazines and bulletins have published articles on this subject to which one of our Russian friends spends himself part of his time.
I wish to stress that we deposited a complete file with UNESCO with a request that they accept us as a Direct Co-operating Member. In fact, UNESCO has already recognized Naturism and classifies it in the same category as camping.
2. The present evolution of morals make Naturism more acceptable to the society. The nudity taboo is practically not existing anymore. However, sex free demonstrtaions can give a wrong image of the true and familiar Naturism in the yes of the public opinion and the Authorities. This is a point that will be discussed at this Congress.
We still see at times the Authorities considering Naturism as a "Sex Fair". The Pope thus condemned Naturism in a declaration he made right after the London Congress (the whole Press commented on the religious ceremony at the North Kent Sun Club). Several Federations had then invited Paul VI to come and see for himself what Naturism is, and other Federations contacted the religious authorities. The Dutch Episcopacy had a favourable attitude and the French Catholic Clergy showed a neutral attitude. It is to be noted that the Tunisian Authorities have authorized the practice of Naturism under certain conditions after having contacted the Muslim Authorities of this country.
In fact, difficulties do not come merely from religious opinions, as in the Eastern European Countries -particularly the Governing Authorities- should be better informed on what Naturism really is. This Congress, here in Yugoslavia, should help improvement in this direction and we have, with the help of the Yugoslavian Authorities, invited several official organizations of these countries to contact us at Koversada.
Everywhere now the Federations have contacts with the Governmental Authorities of their country and very often these are particularly good contacts: in Holland, in Belgium, in Switzerland, in Great Britain, in New Zealand, in Australia, in Germany certainly too, in Denmark, in Sweden, in France, etc.
These contacts permitted in most cases a better interpretation of laws relative to morals; for example in Holland or in France and even in South Africa, the problem is now publically and courageously presented. These contacts permitted to publish nude photos without touch-up. Keeping the sex hidden is now considered in several countries such as in France, not so much as the expression of fundamental moral than as the expression of customs, which as all customs can change.
These contacts with the Authorities have often permitted also to obtain authorization to practice Naturism on Governmental properties. We shall come back to this question.
3. In all this evolution, the organized Naturist Movement has greatly increased in the past two years. If ASA registered an even balance of members, we note that in Switzerland the increase is +5%, in the Netherlands +12% to 15%, in Austria +12%, in France +22%, and CCBN writes “record increase”.
We are sure, that the number of non-organized naturists, especially naturist vacationers, has even more increased. For example, Austria announces that they have 10,000 organized members, whereas 150,000 Austrians practise Naturism. We will certainly have to discuss this aspect of our organization tied up to our lack of camps, free beaches, commercialization of Naturism… (This will be discussed separately).
In countries where Naturism is very little developed, improvements are not so obvious. One must wait until Naturism has progressed to such an extent to realize what improvements have been made. However, the Naturists in Brazil are still in existence, same in Spain and our friends in Portugal seem to get near to succeed and this makes us very happy.
These new countries begin to open themselves to Naturist Tourism, which may be the first step to a National Naturist Movement. Our hosting country is an example of such development, as we are glad to welcome the first naturist club with Yugoslavian members, in the large Naturist family.
We wish to see Tunisia –who has recently adopted Naturism in connection with our Movement and under conditions that guarantee the respect of the Naturist Ethics– do the same thing as our Yugoslavian friends. We also have good reasons to hope that another country of the African Continent will do the same.
4. Several Federations say that their clubs take no more members because their camps are getting too small, too few camps are being created because they have no land. Those that have been created are not sufficient anymore. Numerous swimming pools or gymnic saunas have been created in several countries, but they cannot, of course, replace the naturist camp which puts man back in contact with Nature, which is the essential means to practice of Naturism.
This lack in the welcoming organization is certainly a big difficulty. Our Swiss friends write that the pioneer’s way of thinking is nearly lost and everyone wants to come in a well-equipped camp. Financing difficulties are the most important. Our Dutch and Swiss friends, as well as our Italian friends, will certainly tell us of the means they utilize to solve their money problems. It would be well too that the French delegates explain how they built up an editing company and how the SOCNAT has been created. Their experience should benefit to all. We must be aware of the fact that if the clubs and/or the Federations cannot solve this problem, dealers will solve it for themselves under conditions that will not necessarily be the best for Naturism. Dealers will create Naturist Centres mostly in tourist areas for vacationers.
We consider, however, that Naturism should be practiced all year round, every weekend, and it is the creation of camps near towns that we should try to solve first.
It is remarkable that, for the first time, numerous Federations have contacted the Authorities to get authorization to have naturist beaches. Denmark is quite ahead for so doing with numerous and large free beaches; but this is a problem too, and Erik Aggernæs was saying, the creation of beaches with large naturist centres is part of the Government’s plans. Today, the Dutch, the British and the Australians are trying to do so officially. This tendency to request from Government free beaches had never yet been so great. It proves the expansion of Naturism and its need of space.
This need of space, sun and sea, is apparent by the Naturist Tourism which is the theme of this Congress. In order to facilitate travelling of the members, as well as that of the non-organized Naturists, several Federations are in contact with travel agencies. Our Congress should be on occasion of exchange and information gathering on this question which is becoming more and more important.
5. This period of great expansion of Naturism is quite thrilling, but we should stay aware of the problems entailed to the future of Naturism. Success should not prevent us from staying unified. It is quite stimulating to see that in those countries where several Federations were active, a re-establishment of good relations between them took place. This is the case in Belgium and in Switzerland as well as in Italy where our Naturist friends now work and collaborate together. This unity of the Naturist Movement is absolutely essential and we are hoping that in the near future the DFK will again be in complete and true liaison with the INF, this is our wish and that of the German Naturists.
Protection of Naturism as well as its progress should be our aim.
At times we seem to find that we lack volunteers with pioneer's mind, but this is not true everywhere. We should think of the action our friends in South Africa are conducting, of the dynamism of the Australian Naturists, of the perseverance of our friends in Eastern Europe, of all that is every day constructed in the world by the Naturists. Let us think of all that is gained, even in countries where Naturism is a well established fact, like on a French beach, for example, where a group of Naturists have to overcome at the present the hostility of local Authorities in Brittany. Let us think as well at all that remains to be done. I believe then that the Naturists, if well informed, will want to co-operate to the work done by their brothers. This is the best incentive to help our Movement grow in strength all over the World.
There is so much human value in Naturism, so much devotion, that I feel sure that after the discussions of this Congress, we will be able to continue to have Faith in the Future.
Despite the fact that Naturism has long been in existence, it should stay young in heart. Experience comes from past actions and youth has this future ahead.
Let us act with our past experience keeping our heart young!
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