Many visitors to Germany rub their eyes every now and then when they see the “bare truth” on beaches and green spaces. Unlike many tourists, most Germans have no qualms about taking off their clothes and enjoying their holidays naked. In the summer, certain zones on beaches, islands and public parks are “closed” exclusively for nudists. In other areas, nudists enjoy sunbathing side by side with those who prefer to wear swimwear, without disturbing each other.

The relaxed treatment is due to what the Germans call a “movement” or “free body culture” (FKK). The movement is organized, as the national federation of nudists (DFK) was founded 75 years ago. The first nudist clubs had appeared many decades earlier.

A reaction to industrialization

The roots of the movement are placed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was the era of industrialization, which may have greatly improved the standard of living in Germany, but at the same time had devastating consequences for the health – even the mental health – of many people who lived in densely built, dirty and dark industrial suburbs.

A “counter-movement” quickly emerged that evangelized a return to nature in conditions of maximum freedom. With the belief that every person has the right to enjoy nature, as God created him. Devotees of nudism even believed that the contact of bare skin with the sun, fresh air and water had healing properties and not only promoted a general sense of well-being, but also helped to fight diseases such as tuberculosis and rickets, as well as mental illnesses such as depression.

Furthermore, the movement was a reaction to the conservative mores of the 19th century. At that time it was a criminal offense to appear naked on the beach. In 1893, however, 50 “daring people” founded the first nudist club in the world in the city of Essen. In 1920, the first nudist beach was opened on the island of Sylt in the North Sea, opposite Denmark, which is still one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany. A little later the educator and pioneer of nudism Adolf Koch founded in Berlin an “Institute for the Culture of the Free Body” with corresponding schools throughout the country.

The dark age of the Nazis

The Nazi regime, however, viewed the nudism movement with mistrust. The rulers of the time claimed to end the “decline of morals” caused by the Weimar Republic and the hedonistic 1920s. Many associated nudism with homosexuality. From 1933 onwards, a series of laws forbade bathers to bathe naked and even on “mixed beaches” (male-female).

In the post-war years, two separate German states were established, Federal Germany in the West and the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in the East, in which two different “philosophies” about nudism prevailed. For East Germans, nudism offered a rare form of individual freedom in an otherwise totalitarian regime. Initially, the GDR leadership attempted to ban him on the grounds that he undermined socialist ideals, but eventually backed down after numerous protests.

“Breads”? No problem

Really, what can one do at a beach or nudist club but be naked? The answer is simple: anything he would do if he was dressed. Activities provided include swimming, sunbathing, team sports and of course food, drink and entertainment. In Germany there are even hiking trails for nudists, but some restrictions apply. For example, photos are prohibited, but so is sex.

In addition to the important health benefits, they say that nudism offers another great psychological advantage: it teaches us to accept our body, exactly as it is, with all its imperfections, with our “belly” and “buns”. Everyone is equal when they are naked, regardless of whether in their everyday life they dress in the latest fashion or in second-hand clothes.

Nudism vs… Instagram

But it seems that some of these perceptions are being revised in the age of Instagram and TikTok. In recent years, nudist associations have recorded a continuous decrease in the number of their members. The president of the national federation (DRK) Alfred Ziegloch believes that this is due to the illusion of the perfect body, cultivated by social media. “There is a pressure that causes self-doubt, many are now hesitant to take off their clothes in front of others,” Ziegloch told the Bild newspaper.

But there are other reasons for the departure of many members. Zigloch speaks of a “generation gap”. As he points out, in many nudist campsites the majority are over 60, enjoy the traditional way of entertainment and reject any change that might attract younger people. For example, they insist that common quiet hours are strictly observed.

Even the national federation’s 75th anniversary celebrations were eventually canceled due to “lack of interest”. However, Alfred Ziegloch says he is not giving up. “We will fight for every nudist who wants to support us,” he says. After all, “nudism is an age-old tradition and it’s not going to go away easily.”

Edited by: Yiannis Papadimitriou