Chronicle - 60 Years INF-FNI

Chronicle - 60 Years INF-FNI
6
1953 - 2013
INF WORLD CONGRESSES, 1951-2012
1st 1951, North Kent Sun Club, London
2nd 1952, „die neue zeit“, Thielle, Switzerland
3rd 1953, Montalivet, Vendays, France, establishment of INF/FNI
4th 1954, Lobau, Vienna, Austria
5th 1956, BffL Hannover, Hannover, Germany
6th 1958, Woburn Abbey Park, Bedforshire, United Kingdom
7th 1960, Solbakken, Kysing, Denmark
8th 1962, BffL Hannover, Hannover, Germany
9th 1964, Heliomonde, Paris, France
10th 1966, Athena, Ossendrecht, The Netherlands
11th 1968, Penn Sylvan Health Society, Mohnton, PA, USA
1968, 11/23-24: Extraordinary General Assembly at Club Regniere, Lyon, France
12th 1970, North Kent Sun Club, Orpington, United Kingdom
13th 1972, Koversada, Vrsar, Yugoslavia
14th 1974, Cap d‘Agde, Serignan, France
15th 1976, Naturistenbund Rhein-Main, Wiesbaden, Germany
16th 1978, South Hants Sun Club, Fareham, United Kingdom
17th 1980, Flevo-Natuur, The Netherlands
18th 1982, Cypress Cove, Kissimmee, USA
19th 1984, Costa Natura, Estepona, Spain
20th 1986, Sonnland, Freiburg, Germany
21st 1988, Monsena, Rovinj, Yugoslavia
22nd 1990, Natuur und Sport, Zurich, Switzerland
23rd 1992, Paradise Lakes, Tampa, USA
24th 1994, Rutar Lido, Klagenfurt, Austria
25th 1996, Athena, Antwerp (Ossendrecht), The Netherlands
26th 1998, Partisanen Galaxen, Kyrkhult, Sweden
27th 2000, BffL Hannover, Hannover, Germany
28th 2002, Cypress Cove, Kissimmee, USA
29th 2004, Valalta, Rovinj, Croatia
30th 2006, El Portus, Cartagena, Spain
31st 2008, Tambaba Beach, Brazil
32nd 2010, Pizzo Greco, Italy
33rd 2012, Koversada, Vrsar, Croatia
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Presindents of the INF / FNI
During the 3rd Naturist Worldcongress in Montalivet the „International Naturist Federation (INF) was
founded on 23rd August 1953. Upon insistence by the French, the abbreviation „FNI“ (Fédération Naturiste Internationale) was added. Meanwhile the INF/FNI is composed by members of more than thrirty
countries and has established its goal to promote the advantages of naturism in public so to strengthen
and improve naturism.
Richard Ehrmann-Falkenau
1953 – 1956
Austria
Erik Holm
1956 – 1964
Denmark
Gilbert Sarrou
1964 – 1968
France
Michel Caillaud
1968 – 1976
France
Frans Mollaert
1976 – 1980
Belgium
Alan McCombe
1980 – 1988
Great Britain
Bart Wijnberg
1988 – 1995
Netherlands
Karl Josef Dreßen
1995 – 2000
Germany
Wolfgang Weinreich
2000 – 2007
Germany
George Volak
2007 – 2008
USA
Sieglinde Ivo
2008 –
Austria
1953
The 3rd Naturist World congress was held in the Centre Helio Marin“ in Montalivet/Gironde/France on
22nd and 23rd August 1953. The French emphasized the condition that the letters „FNI“ must be added
to the letters „INF“, because for the French naturists the name of the organisation was „Fédération
Naturisme Internationale“. The name „INTERNATIONAL NATURIST FEDERATION“ was chosen, instead
of „World-Union“, as proposed by the Americans. Right from the beginning the trilinguism was fixed,
namely English, French and German, based on the order from the 2nd World congress 1952, Albert
Lecocq, Dorothy Thornton and Erhard Wächtler had submitted complete proposals for the „Constitution
and Rules“. A – provisional – final refinement had been made to these Statutes.
Those days Europe still was split into 4 occupation zones, communication and travel beyond borders
were impeded by customs barriers and visa; order and economy were barely kept alive by the „Marshall
plan“. At the time of the founding meeting in Montalivet, the French transport services (Post, telegraph,
railways...) were on strike, and this during seven full weeks. Yet, people came by airplane, private car
and by hitchhike: delegates and accompanying persons from Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Great Britain, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal and USA, and of course the French hosts.
As first President the Assembly elected the Austrian Delegate of the IG, Dr. Richard Ehrmann, Vienna,
for three years. Albert Lecocq/France, Erhard Wächtler/Germany, Eduard Frankhauser/Switzerland and
Dorothy Thornton/Great Britain became Vice-presidents. The President appointed Paul Neumann as his
Secretary and Ludwig Hruschka as INF Treasurer.
It had been decided that for the financing of the INF-FNI the Member Nations should pay an annual fee
of 1.0.0. Pounds for each beginning 10 of their clubs, the minimum fee being fixed at 1.0.0. Pounds. As
of 1954 an International Membership card should be implemented, (today the INF-card).
This Naturist World Congress also defined the tasks for the INF:
Representation of supranational interests of the Naturist Movement worldwide, promotion and maintaining relationships between the national federations in the whole world, facilitation of mutual visits as
well as clarification and processing of all questions of common interests.
The Congress also passed a „Chart and Protocol“, in which the term of „Naturism“ was explained in
detail. It stated here: In order to avoid any misunderstanding of the term „Naturism“, following definition was adopted:
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Naturism stands for the entity of all rules, aiming to help people to live a natural life. Naturism also is
a synthesis of ideas and methods to search for an ideal of beauty, for truth and freedom for all people,
regardless of race.
Naturism seeks a harmonious balance for everybody, in all sectors: physical, mental, etc... It is interested in every social reform, which enhances the situation of individual persons and their mutual relations.
1954
35 countries were represented at the INF, but in various forms. For this reason the Congress decided to
divide the various types of memberships in specific categories. After an extended discussion following
regulation was implemented: Category A includes solidly established, larger country organizations;
Category B comprises all other groups or organizations in one country, which however must accept
that an A-Member of the same country has the right to officially represent this country at the INF World
Congresses. Finally, Category C includes all groups or clubs of those countries where naturism is forbidden, besides single persons or correspondents from countries, where naturist organizations do not yet
exist. According to this categorization the INF included following members in 1954: 10 A-Members, 9
B-Members and 16 C-Members.
The lectures during this Congress brought many valuable thoughts and several new points of view, the
discussions gave insight to the ideas of other people, and the country reports were valuable and produced many insights. Yet, words and ideas remained within their own cycles! Nobody talked to the outer
world, the understanding, questioning and also misunderstanding world. Publicity was still missing. In
retrospect, Ise Dissen wrote following about this congress:
„Vienna 1954! We travelled to Vienna with great enthusiasm – everything still was fresh and new. OUR
INF was only 1 year old! All of us were fully passionate, about all what we had achieved – and the
friends in Vienna about the international guests. We felt being a large family - which indeed we were!
As at those days the INF still had no money, we were lodging at the members of the Vienna Naturist
Organisation, it was a great pleasure and cheerfulness. And all of Vienna seemed to be a large naturist
family! As we all bore a name badge, we met friends everywhere, on the roads, in the tramways, and of
course on the ferries crossing the Danube.“
1956
The 5th INF World Congress took place in Hanover/Germany from 24th till 26th August 1956, organized
by the DFK. During his welcome speech the INF President Richard Ehrmann talked about a Congress of
probation. „The 5th World Congress must be a Congress of Probation, not only for our International Federation, but for the movement altogether. During the 3rd General Meeting of the INF Committee, which
took place at the same time, the INF Committee will have to prove that it has worked in pursuit of the
statutory objectives, to the best of their knowledge and belief, and has tried to press ahead to our international cooperation.“ The delegates were welcomed by the Mayor Wilhelm Weber, who said, among
other things, said: „I would like to heartily welcome you at the start of the 5th World Congress in Hanover. I want to especially greet all those who came from foreign countries. Their large number shows me,
how widespread your organization is in the world. According to what I see in your program, your efforts
are primarily aimed to promote people’s health.... I wish you that your meeting in Hanover will have a
pleasant development. I hope you will enjoy your stay with us and you will take home good memories
of Hanover and your events.“
The number of the groups affiliated to BSBA/Great Britain now was 30, there were 23 sites. Portugal
announced a 20% increase of members. A small club has been created in Luxembourg, which joined the
DFK Association of Aachen/Germany. Yugoslavia could not present positive news during this congress.
The attempt to gather the local naturists at a club level had failed. The application of the club had been
rejected, with the reason that „the association is not conform to our social structure.“
Several years will have to pass by till the Yugoslav naturists would be able to join together in associations.
The INF had contacts with different groups, like in Argentina, Japan, India, Belgian Congo, Egypt, Mexico and Ruanda-Urundi. In these countries, too, attempts to found associations failed due to opposition
by the authorities. Dr. Richard Ehrmann withdrew his candidacy as president. The Danish editor Erik
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Holm became new INF President. His assistants were the Vice-presidents Erhard Wächtler/DFK, Albert
Lecocq/FFN and Edi Fankhauser/ONS, in addition Ise Dissen/NFN and Alois Knapp/ ASA, Dr. Richard
Ehrmann/Austria and Arthur Hodgson/Great Britain as well as Secretary Paul Neumann from Austria.
René Kielinger/Switzerland remained the President of the Legal Commission. This commission received
the task to elaborate new proposals as to the division into the various membership categories. The Congress protested by a resolution against the actions by the Federal Government in Bonn towards naturism in the Federal Republic of Germany, about which a report already had been made earlier. (Please
refer to 1953, August). The first edition of a „Naturist Guide“, where most of the naturist sites were
listed, had been issued in Germany. Because of its German origin, this manual was called the „Naturist
Holiday Guide“. Today this holiday guide is published in a totally new design as „FKK -Weltführer/Guide- Mondial/World- Handbook“. The INF was registered as proper association in Paris. This registration
was very important, in order that the INF was able to execute legal formalities. During the 5th World
congress the exhibition ,,Freikörperkultur im Bild“ (Naturism in Pictures) was shown for the first time,
an exhibition with about 250 pictures, drawn up by Rudolf Beißbarth, the 2nd President and the Cultural
Advisor of the DFK. Following the Congress the exhibition was shown in a number of German cities as
well as in Austria (Vienna, Graz).
1957
„INFORMATION“ – That was the name of the official, 12-page long bulletin of the INF, published since
January 1957 in three languages. Responsible party was the INF Secretariat. Thea Neumann wrote the
German part, Genevieve Laverdure the French and Ronald Cooper the English part. This „Information“
was the precursor of the later INF/FNI Press Bulletin, today’s INF/FNI-BULLETIN. On 7th February 1957
the photographer Gerhard Riebicke died, the pictures of whom had been published in many naturist
magazines. The Riebicke pictures, whereof some are also shown in this book, were not taken on fenced
grounds, but in the stadium, on the Havel in Berlin, at the sea and at any other possible place. His work
had provoked many a fight, but at the end had brought many revolutionary successes for the naturist
movement. Naturism became more and more a matter of course in public life.
1958
From 25th till 31st August 1958 the 6th INF World Congress took place in Woburn Abbey, the castle
of the Dukes of Bedford is situated about 55 km (34 mi) away from London. The XIII Duke of Bedford
provided the castle as well as the wide parks to host the INF for this 6th World Congress. The records
by Erik Holm report that it was raining almost all the time during the congress, so that the meetings had
to be held in tents, in cloths – not nude outdoor as usual. Official delegates had come from Germany,
Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Australia, New Zealand
and from the USA. The INF now had 15 A-Members, 8 B-Members and 21 corresponding Members. Till
now 6.300 INF Cards had been issued. The main interest of the workshops was focused on the interesting and important report by the American Delegate Alois Knapp, who could report of a great success of
the naturists against the strong opposition still existing in the United States. For nearly 20 years a fight
is going on in the USA to be able to publish naturist magazines with non-retouched photographs. Very
recently a lawsuit at the Supreme Court of the United States had been engaged. This Court, who made
its decision under a female judge, took the decision in favour of the naturists, who are now allowed to
edit naturist publications including non-retouched photographs. The Chairman of the Court received
17 Naturist Magazines, which, after thorough examination had been declared as non-offensive. In 1958
there were already more than 100 naturist sites. During the elections at the agenda the complete Central
Committee had been re-elected. A new Press Commission was created, whose members, among others,
were: Erhard Wächtler/ DFK and Albert Lecocq/FFN. A Culture Committee was also set up; its members
were: Erik Holm, Gilbert Sarrou as well as Rudolf Beißbarth. By a Resolution the Congress urged several
governments having seacoasts, to authorize creation of more free beaches. On the occasion of the 6th
World Congress an international Naturist Youth Camp took place from 17th till 31st August, which was
lead by Jack Gray/ England and Karlwilli Damm/Germany. Being impressed by the large contingent of
the German Naturist Youth at the INF World Congress, the British Naturists decided to promote Youth
activities, too. Shortly after the Congress, in September 1958, Jack Gray made an appeal to the young
people of all the associations to run for a membership of his Youth Group.
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1959
The appeal launched by Jack Gray in September 1958 to promote youth activities was very successful. On 8th February 1959 already the British Naturist Youth was founded, taking the name of „The
Sunlander´s“. During the ’50ties Naturist Winter Sports was very popular. So the 7th Ski camp of the
„Sonnensport-Freunde Salzburg“ was organized at the Loosbichalm from 28th February till 21st March
1959. The INF organized an international Light-Ski-Camp at the Brünnerhütte, at an elevation of 2043 m,
especially adapted to beginners and runners with average experience. And a German naturist family
had rented the Schura-Hüsli, situated in the Gauertal valley, Tschaguns/Vorarlberg/Austria, at 1300 m,
and offered all interested naturists the possibility of proper naturist winter holidays, in a zone with guaranteed snow.
1960
The 7th INF World Congress took place in Solbakken/Denmark, from 23rd till 27th July 1960. Following
countries and member organizations were represented:
Austria:
Australia: Belgium:
Denmark: Germany:
France: Great Britain: Netherlands:
Sweden:
Switzerland:
USA: Ludwig Okasek, Int. Gemeinschaft
Franz Vanecek, Schutzverband FKK
Gastone Larri, Woodlands
Joseph Collard, Nature et Sport
Arne Bloch, Solsport Unionen
Erhard Wächtler, DFK
Albert Lecocq, FFN
Arthur Hodgson, BSBA
Ise Dissen, NNF-FNL
Hen Högvall, SNF
Edi Fankhauser, ONS
Etienne Grenier, SNF
John A. Bach, ASA
Ilsley Boone, NNC
Norway was represented by its observer Kjell Sellin, Norsk Solsport. During the General Assembly the
association Norsk Solsport received its membership, as of that moment Kjell SeIl became official delegate. Through a change of the Statutes the Central Committee was composed by a President, a General
Secretary and by 4 Vice-presidents. All members of the Central Committee worked on honorary basis
and were elected for 6 years, whereby every 2 years each time 2 members were dismissed by lot, but
could be re-elected each time. All members had to be originating from different countries. For each
member a substitute was designated by the respective country representative. After the elections the
Central Committee was composed as follows:
Erik Holm/President; Etienne Grenier/ Switzerland/General Secretary; Vice-presidents: Erhard Wächtler/ Germany; Albert Lecocq/France; Ise Dissen/Netherlands and John A. Bach/USA. Hanni Ricker was
confirmed as Secretary, Lisl Ehrmann as Treasurer. Carl Frank (official name Frank Zwahlen) from Switzerland elected as new Secretary. The Minutes of the first meeting of the new Central Committee mentioned that he would receive a monthly salary of 500 Swiss Francs for his work.
On 23rd November 1960 the „INTERNATIONAL NATURIST FEDERATION“ (INF/FNI) was registered in
Copenhagen/Denmark under register number 2359 of the associations register.
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1962
From 1st till 5th August 1962 the 8th INF-World Congress took place at Hanover for the second time. At
this Congress the complete Central Committee was re-elected. Karl Ricker from Vienna was appointed
as Accounts Checker. Delegates from 16 nations as well as about 3.000 guests participated at the Congress. The DFK announced the affiliation of an impressive amount of 140 clubs. A public major event,
attended by an audience of more than 1100 interested people, with the theme „Youth in Naturism“
– this theme also was the Leitmotiv of the whole congress – the German Youth Group celebrated its
10-years anniversary at the „Theater am Aegi“ in Hanover. INF President Erik Holm expressed his confidence that, at not a too distant future, naturism will receive general recognition as an essential element
of public health care and a positive youth education. During a morning celebration at the congress site
the 2nd DFK-President, Rudolf Beißbarth, spoke on the subject „Naturism as a means of religious encounter“. Beißbarth did not mark naturism as a religious community, but rather as a community of religious people. Here the human being, acting out from the religious depth to cope with his life, becomes
the model. Naturism is a philosophy of life, which aims to eliminate the unessential, the worthless and
the hollow appearance. At this congress the international naturism reaches its peak. On the occasion of
the congress the largest naturist site in Europe, the „FKK-Sportpark Hannover“ was officially inaugurated. Were present at these celebrations, among others: the Minister of Social Affairs of Lower Saxony
Kurt Partzsch, the Mayor of the City of Hanover Otto Bache and the Mayor of Misburg Pott. Minister of
Social Affairs Partzsch explained during his speech that the work by the naturist movement should and
also will obtain general recognition by the public, as, undisputedly, man and his well-being, peaceful
mind, mutual understanding, simplicity and honesty are at the heart of all efforts by the naturism. The
Legal Commission got the task to elaborate new statutes for the next congress. Dr. Fred Weiß/DFK was
elected as President of this Legal Commission. During his congress report INF President Erik Holm mentioned that outwardly the INF had been very active in many various countries in the years 1961/1962. In
the name of the INF – and so in the name of the whole naturist movement – the INF had intervened by
direct protests against the attitude of the administrations in Belgium, Australia and South Africa, in regards to the question „Ban of Naturism due to the Question of Children“. In Austria they succeeded that
the large site of Keutschack – Dobein was collaborating with the syndicate. For the INF it is crucial not to
lose contact with the commercial naturist holiday resorts. More and more the INF is being considered as
consultant for the national federations. As part of this congress an international Naturist YOUTH CAMP
was organized from 29th July till 12th August, at which 95 girls and boys were participating.
1963
On the occasion of INF’s 10th anniversary an anniversary meeting took place in Zurich/Switzerland from
23rd till 25th August 1963, combined with a workshop and the inauguration of the swimming pool and
25 years „Lichtwärts“ on the site of Föhrli in Nänikon.
From 10th till 14th October 1963 a meeting of the free youth unions was organized at the „Hohen Meißner“ close to Kassel/ Germany, at the occasion of the fiftieth recurrence of the day on which in October
1913 (see there) the Free German Youth held their well known meeting. More than 3.000 girls and boys
were present, coming from various unions. The Naturist Youth, too, participated with about 50 persons.
According to all persons being present the Young Naturist made a very good impression, not only
because of their behaviour in general, but especially during their numerous talks and interviews. The initial curiosity of many young people during the Naturist Youth very quickly changed into understanding
of the naturist idea; the widespread distrust based on lack of knowledge and also on prejudices could be
redressed, and many a youngster of the other unions returned home as a real naturist.
1964
The 9th INF World Congress took place in Paris, from 11th till 14th July 1964, organized by the FFN. Erik
Holm did not run for the post of president any more, as he had to fully concentrate on his publishing
company. This decision was a big sacrifice for Erik Holm; because all people who knew him were aware
that the work for the international naturism had become half of his own life. Gilbert Sarrou, President of
FFN became the new INF President. As Vice-president were elected:
Erik Holm/Denmark, Jack Watkins/ Great Britain, Rolf Hügelmann/Germany, Pat Francis/USA and Dr.
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Frans Mollaert/Belgium. Assistants with consulting rights were Ise Dissen/Netherlands and Jeannine
Bomsel/France. René Kielinger remained General Secretary. At this congress following countries were
represented: (Sequence according to the Minutes of the 7th Ordinary General Assembly)
Austria:
Dr. Richard Ehrmann, Interessengemeinschaft des österreichischen Freikörpersports
Peter Koch Schutzverband der Freikörperkulturbewegung in Österreich (SV)
Herrmann Lauer, Verein für freie Körperkultur (VffKK)
Netherlands: Ise Dissen, Nederlandse Federatie van Naturistenverenigingen (NFN)
Switzerland:
Edi Fankhauser, Organisation Naturiste Suisse (ONS)
Georges Pfenninger, Schweizer Naturisten-Föderation (SNF)
Brazil: Daniel de Brito, Fraternidade Naturista lnternacional do Brasil (FNIB)
Argentina: Theodoro Trümpler, Primera Asociacion Naturo Desnudista Argentina (P.A.N.D.A.)
France:
Gilbert Sarrou, Fédération Française de Naturisme (FFN)
USA:
Pat Francis, American Sunbathing Association (ASA)
Denmark:
Sören Sörensen, Dansk Naturist Forbund (DNF)
Erik Agernaes, Poul Lund, Solsport Unionen
Belgium:
Frans Mollaert, Federatie van Belgische Naturisten (FBN)
Alfons Janssens, Fédération des Clubs Naturistes Belgique (FCNB)
Joseph Collard, Fédération BeIge „Nature et Sport“ (FBNS)
Canada:
Bill Cameron, Eastern Canadian Sunbathing Association (ESCA)
Sweden:
Bertill Flood, Sveriges Naturist Förbund (SNF)
Germany: Dr. Lothar Wilhelm, Deutscher Verband für Freikörperkultur (DFK)
Great Britain: Arthur Hodgson, Jack Watkins, Central Council for British Naturism (CCBN)
Portugal: Angelo Maria Guimaraes, Sociedade Portuguesa de Naturalogia da Costa Cabral (SPN)
Italy: Dr. Ing. M. Monge, Unione Naturisti Italiani (UNI)
The new Statutes, as developed by the Legal Commission were accepted by the Congress. The yearlong discussions between the fanatic ‘’reformers’’ and the more tolerant ‘’Only-Naturists’’ could be stopped, namely by the ‘’Purpose-Paragraph’’ in these Statutes, which said that members of the INF vouch
for ‘’that the efforts of the general mental, physical and psychological health of the nations shall be
promoted in the sense of the cultural organisations of the United Nations (UNESCO)’’. Opposition was
made against abuse of stimulants, dissemination of pornographic publications and against anything
which otherwise can be harmful for the body and mind in general.
A few ‘’Reformers’’ protested against this text version, but at the end the ‘’Purpose-Paragraph’’ was
accepted by a large majority. During the consultations about the statutes Edi Fankhauser, after rejection
of his motions, which were aiming at a reformist direction, had then suggested to delete the word Naturism -- which he understood as a healthy life without alcohol, nicotine and meat. Here he also referred
to a motion from the non-present Australian Federation, which had proposed the term ‘’Nudism’’, generally being used there. Jack Watkins, 1st President of CCBN, did not see the term ’’naturism’’, understanding of the usage in the English language, as being synonymous with the reformism. Naturism was
identified equally with the meaning of the German term „Freikörperkultur“.
Only in some English-speaking countries, where the term „Nudism“ is more popular and without the
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misinterpretation as it has in Europe, this term was equated with the term „Naturism“.
The members’ votes-ratio was also newly regulated. The eldest country federation receives one country
vote; in addition each member receives the same number of votes as its number of naturist sites. At request of the DFK it also was decided that each member receives one more vote per 5.000 memberships,
up to a maximum of 10 votes. During their speeches the delegates from Black Africa, among others Tunisia and Ivory Coast participating at this congress, pointed out that as consequence of the colonial period in their homelands there is very low empathy for naturism. „First the white missionaries put us into
clothes, and now we are supposed to run around naked again and to praise this as cultural progress“,
one speaker said. The French federation could report of a continuous growth of naturism in France.
Last year the number of affiliated clubs increased from 126 up to 143, the number of sites from 57 to 67
and the number of members holding an annual licence from 9.815 to 12.292 (Increase rate about 25%).
Became new members of the INF: Eastern Canadian Sunbathing Ass./Canada; Federatie van Naturisten
Clubs in Belgie (FCNB/FNB)/Belgium (herewith 3 Belgian federations were member of the INF); Central
Council for British Naturism (CCBN) = merger of BSBA and FBSC/Great Britain; Unione Naturisti ItalianiUNI/ltaly. This 9th World Congress also was framed by large sports and other events and ended with a
reception of the delegates at the City Hall of Paris, where the Vice-president of the City Council of Paris,
M. Berlemont, held a very positive speech in the sense of naturism. He praised the naturist movement
as a constructive and useful element in our modern culture. The association „ARENA“, founded in 1957,
performed an evening of theatre, which received large applause from all the delegates and guests of the
Congress.
1965
During the meeting of the FFN National Committee on 8th April 1965 Gilbert Sarrou resigned from his
position as FFN President, as his new position as INF President claimed his full attention. During this
congress Bertrand Le Menager (elected committee member in February 1965) was appointed Interim
President.
On the ONS-site at Thielle/ Switzerland an INF-Work team for Life Reforms (IREF) was founded on 23rd
August 1965, based upon a decision by the INF Central Committee on 27th March 1965, according to
which the creation of a work team, acting under the INF, had been approved. The „IREF“ is an international free union of life reformers, which are members of organizations affiliated to the INF. Aim of the IREF
was and is the promotion and propagation of life-reforming principles within and outside of the INF. The
principles of IREF stipulated that IREF can undertake anything which serves the given goal; however in
all important matters it must act in agreement with the INF Central Committee and must communicate
all important decisions, planned events etc. to the INF. An activity report must be remitted at each INF
Congress; the IREF President has one consulting vote. Ise Dissen/ Netherlands was first given the tasks
of a provisional Secretariat and the year after she was elected President of IREF. (Also refer to 1961)
1966
11th – 16th August 1966: 10th INF World Congress on the ATHENA site in Ossendrecht/Netherlands,
organized by Robert Lambrechts. At this Congress following countries/federations were represented:
Argentina:
Australia:
Belgium: Brazil: Denmark: Germany: France: Great Britain:
Italy: P.A.N.D.A.
Theodore Trümpler
Australian Federation of Sun Clubs (AFSC) Jack Watkins
Federatie von Belgische Naturisten (FBN) Lina van Stappen
Natur et Sport, Liege Jos. Collard
Fraternidade Naturista Internacional do Brazil Hans Frijlmann
Solsport Unionen
Mrs. Tove Billesholm
Dansk Naturist Forbund (DNF)
Erik Agernaess
Deutscher Verband für Freikörperkultur (DFK) Dr. Lothar Wilhelm
Fédération Française de Naturisme (FFN)
Jeannine BomseI
Central Council for British Naturism (CCBN) Dorothy Thornton
Unione Naturisti Italiani (UNI) M.S. Fabbro
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Netherlands: New Zealand:
Austria:
Switzerland:
USA: Nederlandse Federatie von
Naturistenverenigingen (NFN)
New Zealand Sunbathing Association (NZSA)
Schutzverband. Wien (SV) Organisation Naturiste Suisse (ONS) Schweizer Naturisten-Föderation (SNF) American Health Alliance (AHA)
American Sunbathing Association (ASA) Ise Dissen
Mr. Kuys
Hr. Vanecek
Eduard Fankhauser
Bruno Senn
Frl. Ingeborg Hofmann
Ed. Lange
In their activity reports increase of number of members were stated by: DFK/Germany, CBN/Great Britain, NFN/Netherlands, NZNF/New Zealand and the two Swiss Federations SNF and ONS. The report
by the NFN stated in addition that the national federation had been strengthened by excellent reports
in printed media, radio and television. Gilbert Sarrou was re-elected as President. At his side were the
Vice-presidents: Dr. Frans Mollaert/Belgium, Jack Watkins/Great Britain, Dr. Lothar Wilhelm/Germany, Ed
Lange/USA and Erik Agernäss/Denmark. René Kielinger further on remained General Secretary, assessors with consulting vote in the Central Committee were: Jeannine Bomsel/France, Ise Dissen/Netherlands and Dottore Michele Monge/ltaly.
The newly founded Honorary Committee was composed by Erik Holm and Albert Lecocq and Dr. Fred
Weiß/Germany became President of the Legal Commission, Lisl Ehrmann/Vienna remained Treasurer,
Robert Lambrechts, host of the Congress, was given the Public Relation section. A Cultural Commission was appointed with Mrs. Ebba Aggernaes/Denmark, Rudolf Beißbarth/Germany, Dr. Richard Ehrmann/Austria, Dr .Wolfgang Heybey/Germany and the INF-President Gilbert Sarrou as members; Peter
Failows/GB, Jean Gantois/France and Hans Masalskis/Germany were elected for the Press Commission.
The organizers had split their interesting support program into, among others, movie shows, sports
events, an art exhibition and presentations by various naturist youth groups. Very impressive was the
car convoy with police escorts to the reception of the delegates at the City Hall of Antwerp, where the
Health and Sports Representative of the City of Antwerp expressed cordial words of welcome to the
naturists. The excellent organization, at which virtually everything had been thought about, for sure had
a great influence on the harmonious and pleasant process of this congress; this was unanimously confirmed by all participants of the congress. Special thanks were given to Robert Lambrechts and his club
„Athena“, which during the five years of existence has already grown to 1.800 members and which has
achieved an exemplary performance by its self-sacrificing cooperation.
1967
At the invitation by the DFK in 1967 the first meeting of Volleyball players of the FFN and the DFK came
about in Freiburg. This was the foundation stone for the INF Sports events arranged during the next
years.
1968
In this year, during the days 23rd till 28th July the 11th INF World Congress took place at the large site
of „Pen Sylvan Health Society near Philadelphia in den USA“ („Come with us- enjoy a Nudist park“)
and on 23rd and 24th November 1968 an Extraordinary General Assembly requested by 7 Federations
was organized in Lyon/France. For some officials this Congress caused a few headaches and sleepless
nights. At those days travelling was a very expensive affair, and first the congress was cancelled, as not
enough attendants signed up. In the „INF-Informationen Nr. 4“ the INF announced that according to a
decision by the Central Committee the Congress in the USA should take place as a cultural, sports and
friendly meeting, and then, in September, the General Assembly should be held in Germany. But then
all changed again. The Congress was yet performed in due form, however without Austria, Belgium,
Denmark and Germany. The new management of the German Federation considered a Congress being
held in the USA as rather useless from the very beginning and showed a negative attitude. A report by
Ise Dissen mentioned that „the Congress yet had gone quite well“, and Eduard Fankhauser, too, reported a harmoniously run Congress. During this Congress the existing work teams of teachers, priests,
doctors, etc. were dissolved, as they had not developed any action at all, according to enlightment by
Ise Dissen. Only the IREF (International Work team for Life Reforms) remained as an INF Member, without voting right.
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1969
On 11th and 12th October 1969 the 1st International Naturist Swim gala took place in Bonn/Germany,
at the invitation by the DFK. Michel Caillaud welcomed all participants and expressed his satisfaction
about the realization of the big sports event. He especially pointed out the work by the INF to unify nations and emphasized his expectations that similar meetings should follow this first event also at other
fields.
This wish of the INF President eventually was granted, given that the INF not only organized these international swim galas, but later on also volleyball tournaments, Pétanque contests, Family Weekends
and other sports meetings. As said one visitor: „For all attendants the event was a triumph of idealism,
feeling of togetherness and sports will.“ On the spectators stands not only public representatives attended the events, but also many people who so far never had known about naturism.
1970
The 12th INF World Congress was organized by CCBN and took place from 10th till 16th August 1970 at
Orpington/GB, on the site of the „North Kent Sun Club“. Its Leitmotiv was: „Man and his Environment“.
Queen Elizabeth II had transmitted by telegraph Her best wishes for a good success to the Congress.
Delegates from 21 countries had participated: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Guadeloupe, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal,
Rhodesia, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain and USA. On Sunday morning, at bright sunshine, an ecumenical service was held outdoor, of which even the venerable „Times“ published a report with pictures. In
accordance with the change of statutes of 1968 the Executive Committee was elected.
President: Michel Caillaud. Further on the Vice-presidents: Tom Goin/USA, Bert Evenhuis/ Netherlands,
Edi Fankhauser/Switzerland and Erik Agernäss/Denmark. For the Legal Commission Dr. Fred Weiß/DFK
was confirmed as President, Dr. Bernhard Böhler/Switzerland as Substitute, further members of the Legal Commission were Ernest Stanley/Great Britain, Denise Lebed/France and Dr. Frans Mollaert/ Belgium.
The Press noted with great interest that in many countries the naturism not only was recognized, but
also even promoted. A lot of space was given in press to the fact that during the opening day of the
Congress an Anglican Clergyman had held a service on the site. A lot of references to this service were
made by the British cartoonists.
During the first meeting of the Central Committee in November 1970 Oskar Hörrle resigned from his
post, due to various disagreements in relation with orientation, finance administration and organization
between him and the other members of the Central Committee. Oskar Hörrle declared that because of
these differences the DFK (Deutscher Verband für Freikörperkultur) would leave the INF. For personal
reasons Kack Watkins did not want to continue his post as treasurer anymore, but remained member of
the Central Committee. Bert Evenhuis took over the post of the 1st Vice-president; Edi Fankhauser became treasurer and took over the charge for the 1972 edition of the new INF Holiday Guide. The previous
1st Vice-president Dr. Frans Mollaert declared his willingness to accept the tasks of the General Secretariat, in addition to his job as Member of the Legal Commission.
Shortly afterwards the DFK (Deutscher Verband für Freikörperkultur e.V.) indeed left the INF due to the
alleged disagreement concerning financial matters mentioned above. During several years the German
organized naturists lacked any official international relationship, which was to last till end 1975.
1971
During this federation assembly a resolution was unanimously accepted in which the DFK was called for
an international cooperation and for the function to unify of nations of the naturism and that, also in the
future, they will support a partnership cooperation of the naturist associations of all countries. With the
approval by the federation committee the withdrawal from the INF was confirmed, simultaneously the
DFK Committee was asked to prepare the re-affiliation to the INF at an earliest possible date and under
specific conditions. Yet it should take till 1st January 1976 until the DFK was member of the INF again.
After the withdrawal by the DFK from the INF, representatives of INF and DFK met in Neuß/Germany to
discuss the resulting situation and to find ways for the DFK to come back. By a substantive conversation
it was collectively found out that new procedures for the works at the INF had to be established. Some
Page 10
approaches for this new start were elaborated and the importance of an international organization including all naturist associations was emphasized in a joint communiqué. The DFK declared its willingness
to prepare its return to the INF based upon the resolution of the federation meeting in Nuremberg. Until
the return to the INF a representative of the DFK was to attend the meetings of the INF Central Committee as observer. From the INF were present: Michel Caillaud, Bert Evenhuis and Erik Aggernaes, from
the DFK Oskar Hörrle, Karl Rudolf Doerk and Fritz Klein.
1972
For the first time a World Congress, the 13th, was held in a country without any naturist organisation,
namely at Koversada/Istria/Yugoslavia, from 2nd till 8th August 1972. The organization was in hands of
Jerko Sladoljev, who managed to create the association „Drustvo Prijateljev Koversada“ (Koversada
Friends Club) during the same year. The hosts had done a tremendous job for the publicity. Already at a
distance of 20 km around the site, banners with the announcement „International Naturist World Congress 2nd – 8th August 1972“ were tightened across the main- and access roads. No city, no larger town
in Istria, which would not know about this event.
After the elections the Central Committee was composed as follows: Michel Caillaud/France = President, Dr. Frans Mollaert/Belgium = 1st Vice-president, Karl Ricker/Austria = 2nd Vice-president as well
as further Vice-presidents Ove Pertelius/Sweden, Tom Goin/USA, Alan McCombe/Great Britain and Bert
Evenhuis/Netherlands. For the Legal Commission Dr. Fred Weiß/Germany and Dr. Bernhard Böhler/Switzerland were re-elected, as new assessor Dr. Tomaso (Tom) Operti/ltaly was elected.
1974
The 14th INF-World Congress was organized by the FFN and took place in Agde, from 4th till 8th August
1974. Also here a view on the list of the attendants and the represented federations, together with the
names of the delegates:
INF:
Australia:
Austria:
Great Britain:
Denmark:
Belgium:
France:
Ireland:
Canada:
USA:
Netherlands:
Switzerland:
Marocco:
Sweden:
Italy:
Michel Caillaud
Frans Mollaert
Karl Ricker
Ove Pertelius
Alan Mc Combe
Bert Evenhuis
Robert Lambrechts
Dr. Fred Weiß
Dr. Bernhard Böhler
Werner Dörfl
Ludwig Hruschka
August Loschek
Alan Mc Combe
Orla Jess Jessen
Lina van Stappen
Joseph Collard
Jacques Dumont
Jack Watkins
Jim Finch
Tom Caldwell
Robert Walker
Bob Stolck
Edi Frankhauser
Gody Hablützel
Louis Ols
Kjell Ingvarsson
Giuseppe Ghirardelli
Tom Operti
President
1st Vice-president
2nd Vice-president
Vice-president
Vice-president
Vice-president
General Secretary
President Legal Commission
Vice-president Legal Commission
ANF
Int. Gemeinschaft
ÖNV
CCBN
DNU
FBN
FBNS
FFN
INS
CNC
ASA
NNC
NFN
ONS
FSN
GGC
SNF
A.N.ITA
UNI
Page 11
Yugoslavia:
Greece:
Portugal:
Regiep Tofani
Dimitri Pazarlis
Jose Galamba
DNJ
FNH
AVP
As Correspondant:
Poland:
Stanislaw Wydzga
And as guest, as not being INF member for the time being:
Germany:
Oskar Hörrle
DFK
Further guest: Gilbert Sarrou
INF-Honorary President
Rene Kielinger
INF-Honorary President
Ise Dissen
IREF
The federations reported about the passed 2 years. So FBN/Belgium could note an increase of members
of ca. 25%. The relations with the state and local authorities work smoothly. The right for the parents to
educate their children in the sense of naturism was expressively recognized. (Refer also to the Congress
1960). NFN/Netherlands indicated a number of members of 2.500 and a yearly increase of 14%. FFN/
France announced 35% more members than 2 year ago and stated the total number of members, including children, to be around 100.000 persons. At this moment FFN registered 200 clubs and 25 holiday
resorts as members. ONS/Switzerland reported of 12.000 members and a rising trend, 2.432 persons
were united in the 2nd Swiss federation SNF. From Austria 28 local naturist clubs were reported, most
of them being member of the country federation ÖNV. Altogether this totalled in an estimated 10.000
members, opposed to - roughly estimated - ca. 200.000 non-organized nude swimmers and nude holidaymakers in Austria. After an extended debate the Congress unanimously agreed with the re-affiliation
of the DFK, there were only 10 abstentions. INF-Vice-president Ove Pertelius announced the result of
a survey about nude sport activity. 64,2% of the naturist clubs considered nude sports as being very
important, 26,9% as less important, and 8,9% of the club had not replied. The frequency of naturist sport
types gave following rankings: 1. Volleyball; 2. swimming and 3. table tennis. During the Congress Tunisia, the Ivory Coast and other exotic regions received the opportunity to speak for the first time. After
the elections the Central Committee presented following composition: President Michel Caillaud, 1st
Vice-president Dr. Frans Mollaert, 2nd Vice-president Karl Ricker. Further Vice-presidents: Ove Pertelius/
Sweden, Bert Evenhuis/Netherlands, Alan McCombe/Great Britain and Bob Walker/USA. Dr. Fred Weiß/
Germany further on remained President of the Legal Commission, Dr. Bernhard Böhler/Switzerland Vicepresident. At this Congress following basic definition was formulated and unanimously approved:
„NATURISM IS A LIFESTYLE IN HARMONY WITH NATURE. IT IS EXPRESSED BY COMMON NUDITY,
COMBINED WITH SELFRESPECT, AS WELL AS RESPECT FOR PEOPLE THINKING DIFFERENTLY AND
FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.“
At the end of the Congress Oskar Hörrle, in the name of all Delegates, thanked INF-President Michel
Caillaud for his work during the last years. He has managed to raise respect to the INF and so to the
naturism and to improve the recognition of the naturist movement in the whole world.
1975
Very important was the clearance of the differences, which existed with the INF for some years, after a
comparison of the membership fees still to be paid by the DFK could be reached. Oskar Hörrle and his
Vice-president Karl-Rudolf Doerk had participated as representatives of the DFK at the 14th INF World
Congress in Agde, however the DFK (after leaving the INF a few years ago) did not yet affiliate again as
INF member at that date. At the elections Oskar Hörrle was re-elected as President, whereas all other
committee posts were newly appointed: as Vice-presidents Eva Jurk/Berlin and Karl Josef Dreßen/Mönchengladbach, as Sports Officer Dieter Aschemann. As honorary guests to the federation assembly – at
the occasion of the 25th anniversary – were INF-President Michel Caillaud and NFN-President Bob Stolk,
also the Mayor Heinrich Feußel and representatives of the City Sports Union Mönchengladbach. During
a ceremony a few members received special honours, especially founding member Karlwilli Damm,
with the “Ring of Honour” of the federation.
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1976
The 15th INF World Congress was held from 31st July till 5th August 1976, at the „Ponderosa“, the site
of the naturist union „Naturistenbund Rhein-Main“ Wiesbaden/Germany. The theme of the congress
was: „Sports and Nudity“. The Manager of the German Sports Union, Jürgen Palm, transmitted the
greetings and best wishes from the DSB and mentioned, that in the Federal Republic of Germany the
DFK had acquired large merits for the modern recreational sports and that the German Sports Union
was very thankful for this and that, right at this place in global public, he would like to express its appreciation to the DFK. The big goals of recreational sports have been reached at the naturists: sports for
all categories of age and both sexes, sports for skilled and unskilled people, sports for the whole family,
sports at recreational sites where nature dominates, sports without failures and without losers, a world
of sports where the family is the dominating focus, not the strong individual! Representatives of the
Land Authorities of Hessen and Rhineland-Palatinate read sympathetic greetings from two the Minister
Presidents, Dr. Oswald/Wiesbaden and Dr. Helmut Kohl/Mainz (later Chancellor of Germany).
Like at each congress, also this year reports by the various federations gave information about the
works done in the respective countries, they also presented the current situation of the movement in
the various regions. Fortunately it could be noted that since the last congress in Agde/France, naturism
has gained importance, namely in numbers and – which is especially essential – in the awareness of
the population, and here especially in tourism, which plays a continuously growing role in naturism.
In particular the holiday naturists were mentioned, the number of them was given as about 12 million
according to information from various travel agencies and health resorts. This information proves that
naturism is inexorably on the move and gaining importance. The speakers of the various federations
unanimously emphasized that these „holiday naturists“, also called „nude swimmers“ represent a huge
reservoir for club naturists. The INF should work for all naturists, not only for the organized ones; because it is about to gain millions of nude swimmers for our cause. And one could get new members for
our clubs from these „holiday naturists.
1977
On 26th September 1977, it has been confirmed at the Justice of Piece in Antwerp, 6th District, that the
Association under Swiss Law „INTERNATIONALE NATURISTENFÖDERATION“, also known as Fédération Naturiste Internationale or International Naturist Federation, based at Zurich (Switzerland), has its
Secretariat in Antwerp, where the secretarial business is executed by Mr Robert L.B.D. Lambrechts.
1978
The 16th INF World Congress took place by invitation of the CCBN at the site of the „South Hants Sun
Club“, near Portsmouth/Great Britain from 16th till 18th September 1978. As in this year the INF celebrated its 25th anniversary, the theme of this congress was: „What brought us 25 years of Naturism?“
Contrary to the congresses in previous years, which each time lasted a whole week and in addition to
the working sessions of the delegates included also a few social events, this congress was convoked as
a pure working congress for 3 days. Numerous representatives from the press, radio and television had
attended the press conference on 16th September 1978 and afterwards published several and extensive
reports about the congress as well as about naturism in Great Britain and in the world in general. INFPresident Frans Mollaert made a comprehensive report of the INF activities during the recent years and
then concentrated on the themes naturist tourism and strengthening of the naturist organizations. Inter
alia he stated: „Sometimes one or other executive meets moments of annoyance. They have the impression that events are passing them, that they are leading a small group, whilst millions of people are
passing the holidays in nudity without any organization. Then they ask themselves whether our naturist movement still has a future at all. The great mass of unorganized and the small group of organized
naturist must coexist and must support each other. The organized movement in our sense must and
will remain the framework of the whole naturist movement. The existence of millions of non organized
naturist besides us guarantees the future of our clubs, the future of our federation.“ And one should
not forget that the free nude beaches, where the non- organized people spend their leisure time, have
actually been created by the existence and initiatives of the organized naturists and at the beginning
have first been tolerated by the authorities and then been approved. „The development of the naturism/
Page 13
nudism at these free beaches is a new phenomenon; because people here are practicing naturism who,
before, never had done that. If the organized naturist do not wish our movement to take a direction
being unknown to the ideal of our predecessors, our clubs must be aware of their role as school for the
naturist life style.“ The reports by the various country federations made it apparent that also during
the two last years naturism has continued to evolve, be it at different extents. Besides the organized
naturist associations and federations the non-organized naturist movement, as stated above, has taken
an ever stronger trend upwards, the peak of which had not yet been reached. Therefore the congress
strongly concentrated onto the explosive development of the naturist tourism in the various countries.
The Yugoslav naturist beaches reported an increase of 30% for their visitors compared to the previous
year, all naturist holiday resorts were fully booked. In Portugal and Spain naturist beaches have been
approved for the first time this year, the total amount of visitors on the naturist beaches and holiday resorts has been estimated at about 14 million people, whereof at least 8 million Germans. Pioneer in this
pleasant development was only the INF with its country federations and these again with their clubs.
In point of finance the INF has not experienced anything of this tremendous expansion of naturism,
and therefore means have been searched for how the organized naturists can take part of the steady
growth of naturism. The value of the INF-Card has been enhanced, all naturist holiday resorts in France,
for example, ask for this INF licence. In future each member shall acquire the INF licence, regardless
whether the licence will be used during the year or not. The purchase of the INF licence shall document
the affiliation and solidarity to the international naturist family. One more very important decision was
unanimously taken by this congress: In each country the INF will recognize only one organization as INF
member. After the elections the Central Committee was composed as follows: President Dr. Frans Mollaert/FBN, 1st Vice-president Alan McCombe/ CCBN, 2nd Vice-president Karl Dreßen/DFK. Further Vicepresidents: Pierre Deloire/FFN, Orla Jess Jessen/DNU, Karl Ricker/ÖNV and Roland Senecal/ ASA. As
accounts checkers August Loschek/ÖNV was re-elected and Armin Bolliger/ONS newly elected.
1980
From 20th till 22th September 1980 the 17th INF- World Congress was held at the site „Flevo Natuur“ in the Netherlands. The theme of this congress was: „Naturism, Man and Environment“. The NFN
President Joop Weber had welcomed all naturist in the whole for the first congress taking place in the
Netherlands and pointed out that the naturism in associations, but also the public naturist recreation
had developed at a quite favourable manner, and that during the ’70ties very much has been achieved
in the field of naturism. At the opening INF President Dr. Franz Mollaert could welcome representatives
from 18 federations in the meeting tent, which was decorated with the flags of all nations being affiliated to the INF. The delegates of the 18 federations totalled 647 votes. Many interested spectators followed the opening ceremony in and outside of the tent. In his congress report Dr. Frans Mollaert highlighted the successful development of naturism during the last two years and asked the federations not to
rest on these results, but to create more and more naturist associations. In Germany, France and in the
Netherlands the creation of new clubs is a lot easier than for example in Spain or in Italy. At the end of
his presentation Frans Mollaert supported the decision of the Congress in 1978, according to which only
one federation per country can be affiliated to the INF. This resolution of that year was unanimously
confirmed by a long lasting applause. During the discussion Bart Wijnberg said that we should create
news form not only outwards, but also inside of the movement. He stated the Netherlands as example
where the group „naturuist“ has been founded. Naturuist means „Resting in Nature“ Dr. Frans Mollaert
did not run for the post of President anymore, he was appointed Honorary President of the INF. New
President became Alan McCombe/CCBN, 1st Vice-president Karl Dreßen/DFK and 2nd Vice-president
Roger Pallemans/FBN. Further Vice-presidents: Pierre Deloire/FFN, Karl Ricker/ÖNV, Roland Senecal/
ASA and Gunilla Norden/SNF. All elections were unanimously made by acclamation. Re-elected were
also the accounts checkers Armin Bolliger and August Loschek. The Congress decided the investiture
of a „Statute Commission“, which was given the task to review the presently valid statutes, which had
been approved during congress in Koversada on 4th August 1972, to bring them up-to-date and above
all to consider decisions relating to the statutes being taken since 1972. The new edition of the statutes should be presented at the Congress 1982 for final resolution. In addition the Congress decided to
create a Sports Commission, which will be appointed by the Central Committee. This Sports Commission received the task to develop the sports activities within the INF, in order to facilitate other international sports meetings in future, beyond the present annual INF swim gala. The naturist youth in various
federations have come together for an international cooperation, different international youth camps
Page 14
already have taken place. A Youth speaker had the opportunity to present the wishes of the youth to the
congress. The newly elected Central Committee promised to deal with the youth’s wishes, as the Youth
Work was considered to deserve a higher significance. On occasion of the congress the 50th anniversary
of international cooperation was commemorated. The INF has issued a 52-page commemorative publication, which described the history of this international cooperation in words and pictures. Photographs
of historical value showed the pioneers of international naturism and the path of naturism, which in the
year 1953 lead to the foundation of INF. This commemorative publication was issued in three languages
and was well received, worldwide.
1981
On 6th August 1981 the INF experienced a sad loss: the long-time Vice-president and Treasurer Karl Ricker from Vienna suddenly and unexpectedly died because of myocardial infarction. For nearly 20 years
he supported the INF world all his heart and strength, from 1962 till 1972 as account checker, and as of
1972 till his death as Vice-president and Treasurer. Karl Ricker always tried to join the traditions of the
naturist pioneers with the progress of the young naturists, for many young officials his balanced calmness and expertise was exemplary. Also as person he was a shining example, many people will recall
beautiful hours spent in Vienna, when after work Karl Ricker and his beloved Hanni acted as guides
through Vienna and its surroundings.
1982
The 18th INF World Congress was hosted by the ASA at the site of Cypress Cove in Kissimmee/ Florida/
USA from 20th till 22th August 1982. INF President Alan McCombe could welcome following Delegates:
Australian Nudist Federation – ANP Central Council for British Naturism – CCBN
New Zealand Nudist Pederation – NZNF
Louk Mentink
Jim Christopherson
P. James
Union Naturiste Suisse – UNS
American Sunbathing Association – ASA
Fédération Belge de Naturisme – FBN
Gody Hablützel
Hap Hathaway
Luc Hubot
Deutscher Verband für Freikörperkultur – DFK
Fédération Française de Naturisme – FFN
Federazione Naturista Italiana - FE.NA.IT
Heinz Simanowski
Jeannine Bomsel
Tom Operti
Norsk Naturist Forbund – NNP
Nederlandse Federatie van Naturistenvereinigingen - NFN
Federacion Espagnola de Naturismo – FEN
Fédération Québecoise de Naturisme – FQN
Dansk Naturist Union – DNU
Gudleif Myhre
Bart Wijnberg
Branco Bruckner
Michael Vais
Gudleif Myhre
The President presented an exhaustive report on the works of the last years, but also a look at the
future. A large part was dedicated to the development of the free beaches. Many active naturists made
their first experience with naturism on a free beach, upon which they looked for contacts with the organized naturists and joined a club, partly they even founded new clubs. Indeed the clubs should not
be scared by the free beaches, at least not for the moment. Alan McCombe made this last restriction as
very probably the time will come when nudity will be allowed everywhere – and, as generally known,
this time has already come in many countries. Alan McCombe ended his explanations for the whole
Central Committee with the words: „We have worked hard for you, we thank you for having made it
possible to us! We do not want to get a personal honour, we are happy that we had the opportunity to
support the movement all of us sustain.“
At this congress new statutes were adopted, the mandate for the members of the Central Committee
was fixed at 4 years. The voting rights regulations of the member federations were also newly regulated. The Dutch federation NFN had submitted a motion to this congress, in which the national federaPage 15
tions were asked to take the necessary steps to eliminate the discrimination of single men and women
on the sites and the impossibility to join a naturist club. According to the opinion of the applicants the
fact of being single does not justify clubs and resorts, to refuse access or to exclude them from our
society from the start. NFN accepted the right of the clubs to regulate internal matters within their clubs,
but this right ends where the elementary human rights start to play a role. Discrimination on hand of the
civil status is not in accordance with the contracts, for example § 26 of the contract of civil citizen rights
in New York of 1966. This motion by the Dutch federation was unanimously accepted by the congress.
Yet the implementation of this decision still provoked some problems in the various countries and was
to preoccupy the committees of the INF for long time. After the elections – the 3 members of the Executive Committee were re-elected – the Central Committee was composed as follows: Alan McCombe/
CCBN, President; Karl Dreßen/DFK, 1st Vice-president; Roger Pallemans/FBN, 2nd Vice-president as well
as Roland Senecal/ ASA, Tom Operti/ FE.NA.IT., Gunilla Norden/SFN and Pierre Deloire/FFN. The establishment of a Youth Commission was decided, the members of which – just like for the Sports Commission – were to be appointed by the Central Committee based on proposals form the federations.
A few days later, on 17th December 1982, the long-time General Secretary of the INF, Robert Lambrechts, died at age 60. Till the last day Robert had worked for the INF at his home place in the
St.-Thomas street in Antwerp, where the General Secretariat of the INF was located, since 1966 when
Robert took over the business as General Secretary from René Kielinger. Robert Lambrechts also was
the President of the Belgian Naturist Federation FBN, since its foundation till his death. Robert dedicated his life to naturism. Together with his wife Irene he founded the club „Athena“ in the year 1955 and
from the proceeds of selling their home in 1958 he bought the land in Ossendrecht/ Netherlands, close
to the Belgian border, a site very much appreciated by the naturists. His knowledge about naturism and
its history was enormous, he knew most personalities of the naturism and many establishments still
existing today, like for example the Interfederal Meetings, which have done a lot to international friendships, were exclusively his idea. The International Naturism owes a lot to Robert Lambrechts. He, too,
has his place in history of the worldwide naturism. A few days later already on 26th December 1982, his
son Paul Lambrechts was elected new President of the club „Athena“.
1983
After the death of Robert Lambrechts, Gerda van der Sijpt took over the post as new General Secretary of the INF on 1st March 1983. During the last years the INF had been very active in the sports fields.
After already since 1969 an annual international swim competition was part in the INF Calendar and in
1982 the annual Pétanque Tournament had been integrated into the program, the 1st INF VolleyballMixed-Tournament took place, on 8th October 1983, which was organized by the Lichtbund Niederrhein
e.V., Duisburg/Germany. Teams coming form Great Britain, Luxembourg, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and from Federal Republic of Germany participated at this tournament.
This first INF-Volleyball – Tournament, which was held in an excellent friendly and sporty environment,
was an absolute success, in all aspects in spite of the adverse weather conditions. In the final game,
the two German teams LBN Duisburg and FSG Schorndorf demonstrated Volleyball at highest level.
During the presentation ceremony the 3 INF Vice-presidents attending the games, Karl Dreßen, Roger
Pallemans and Tom Operti pointed out the sporty fair and friendly behaviour of all the teams. This INFVolleyball Tournament was to be repeated during the following years, but already in 1985 it had to be
withdrawn from the events calendar, as a part of the players did not comply, respectively did not want
to comply, with the mandatory nudity as required for the INF tournaments.
1984
The 19th INF World Congress took place at the site „Costa Natura“ close to Estepona/ Malaga/Spain,
from 14th till 17th September 1984, invited by the Spanish Federation. The theme of the congress was:
„THE FUTURE OF THE ORGANIZED NATURISM“. Like the previous congresses also this congress had
been convoked as a pure working congress. At midsummer temperatures -- as in Florida 2 years ago
--the delegates were meeting all nude under the conference tent, where also many interested spectators
and visitors joined the congress as guests. After the elections – based upon the new statutes as adopted
during Congress in 1982 only half of the members of the Central Committee were newly elected – the
Central Committee was composed as follows:
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President: Alan McCombe/CCBN;
1st Vice-president: Karl Dreßen/DFK;
2nd Vice-president: Roger Pallemans/FBN
and as Vice-presidents:
Tom Operti / FE.NA.IT.,
Roland Senecal / ASA
Bart Wijnberg / NFN und
Martin (Gody) Hablützel / UNS.
Dr. Bernhard Böhler/UNS continued as President of the Legal Commission, Arnim Bolliger/UNS and
Jaap Rijsdijk/NFN were re-elected as Accounts Checkers.
In a remarkable keynote speech the Honorary President of the INF, Dr. Frans Mollaert, dealt with the
theme of the congress and emphasized on the essential topic that the future of the organized naturism
lies with the associations. „ The responsible persons of the federations have the difficult task to revise the ideas of the movement, its philosophy and above all its lifestyle“, Frans Mollaert said word for
word. „With regard to the future we should not spend our time anymore with the old disputes, but work
on the solid base of our clubs and federations, which are the mainsprings for a large movement, which
approaches its surroundings by natural means and which wants to build a free and harmonious society.
Harmony between people and nature is not only the motto of our time, it is also the motto of our movement!“. It is no coincidence that this congress was held in Spain. Only a few years ago it would have
been unthinkable that naturists ever would disport on the Spanish coasts. And now the Spanish Federation announces a steadily growing number of members, and the President Branko Bruckner could
say that more naturist sites and naturist beaches will be opened in Spain, especially in Andalusia. The
congress decided to set up a „Commission for future planning and projects KZP“; the Central Committee appointed Jim Christopherson as President of this new Commission. This Commission was given
the task, to present exhaustive reports and working results during the Congress 1986. A contract with
the Naturist Centre Euronat, elaborated by the INF Central Committee, concerning the establishment of
an INF Youth Centre at this leisure resort was approved.
Euronat has reserved a site for the youth at the entrance to the ground and already has built a sanitary
block. Besides Euronat and the INF also the federations FFN, DFK, NFN, FBN and CCBN contributed to
the financing of this project. This youth centre has met high acceptance by the young people, each year
about 300 persons spent their holidays at this centre. A nice accompanying program with Andalusian
Folklore and excursions to the surroundings completed the program of this very successful and harmoniously run congress.
1985
The INF run the 1st Family-Sports-Week on the grounds „Le Betulle“ in Turin/ Italy from the 3rd till the
11th August 1985, organized by Tom Operti and the UNI. Although the participation at this first sports
week did not meet the expectations, it yet was a foundation stone for more INF events of this type.
1986
The 20th INF-World Congress, hosted by the DFK, took place at the grounds of „Sportpark Sonnland in
Freiburg/Breisgau/ Germany, from 19th till 21st September 1986. For this congress the theme: „WORLDWIDE NATURISM – NEXT STEPS!“ had been chosen. A few amendments were made to the statutes. In
future a secured place in the Central Committee will be guaranteed for the two largest federations (at
the time of the amendments of the statutes the FFN and the DFK). The number of members for the Central Committee was increased to 8. In future the Central Committee will have:
A President, 1st and 2nd Vice-president as well as 5 more Vice-presidents, who will be given specific
departments each. After the elections the Central Committee was composed by following members:
President Alan McCombe/CCBN, 1st Vice-president Karl Dreßen/ DFK, 2nd Vice-president Roger Pallemans/FBN and as further Vice-presidents Jeannine Bomsel/FFN, Karin Bae Pedersen/NNF, Martin (Gody)
Page 17
Hablützel/UNS, Roland Senecal/ASA and Bart Wijnberg/NFN. Dr. Franz Mollaert was appointed President
of the Legal Commission, Dr. Bernhard Böhler Vice-president of this Commission. Accounts checkers
remained Armin Bolliger/UNS and Jaap Rijsdijk/NFN.
1988
During the days 16th till 18th September 1988 the 21st Naturist World Congress of the INF took place at
the Yugoslav Naturist- and Holidaycenter Monsena/lstria. The theme of this congress was: NATURISM TOURISM - LEASURETIME. The main lecture for this theme was given by Dr. Teus Kamphorst from the
Netherlands.
After the elections the Central Committee was as follows:
President: Bart Wijnberg/NFN;
1st Vice-president: Karl Dreßen/DFK;
2nd Vice-president: Roger Pallemans/FBN
and as further Vice-presidents:
Karin Bae Peders/NNF;
Jim Christopherson/CCBN;
Jean-Yves Decrand/FFN;
Hap Hathaway/ASA und
Josef Stribmy/ÖNV.
Kattie Wanter remained General Secretary.
Together with the congress a photograph exhibition took place, at which many photographers participated with more than 220 pictures. During the days of congress this exhibition drew large crowds and
much recognition and was being completed by a large number of pictures during the following years.
Upon a motion by the Central Committee the Congress unanimously decided to start a fund with the
aim to develop naturist sites and similar naturist facilities, in short named development fund. By a campaign supported by the press the naturists in Brazil managed to lease an area of 22.500 sqm nearby the
beach of Pinho. On 9th December 1988 the head offices of FBdN and AAPP – Celso Rossi is President of
both associations – was established there.
1990
The 22nd INF- World Congress was held at the site of the association „NASPO“ in Nänikon nearby
Zurich/Switzerland, from 30th August till 2nd September 1990. The theme of this congress was: „THE
ORGANIZED NATURISM –A CHALLENGE! Delegates from 20 Federations as well as 4 INF- Correspondents from 4 countries of Eastern Europe were present, when INF President Bart Wijnberg opened the
Congress.
In its congress report the „Nederlandse Federatie van Naturistenverenigingen NFN“ mentioned that the
fact was getting more and more obvious that naturist recreation in the Netherlands meanwhile enjoys
undeniable recognition. NFN is represented in different national organizations, e.g. the foundation „Verenigingskamperen“ and the foundation „Stichting Recreatie“ (both foundations to promote recreation).
By these two organizations the concerns of the NFN are represented towards the government.
The Belgian Federation FBN was able to report of great successes in their publicity works. The show of
1989 broadcasted by the Radio- and TV-Station BRT „Steek er wat van op Show“ was that successful
that BRT broadcasted it again in 1990.
After the elections the Central Committee was composed as follows:
President: Bart Wijnberg/NFN;
1st Vice-president: Karl Dreßen/DFK,
2nd Vice-president: Roger Pallemans/FBN = Executive Committee.
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In addition following Vice-presidents were members of the Central Committee:
Karin Bae-Pedersen/NNF;
Jim Christopherson/CCBN;
Jean- Yves Decrand/FFN;
Hap Hathaway/ASA und
Josef Stribrny/ÖNV.
President of the Legal Commission was:
Dr. Johannes Georg Landolt-Sauvant/UNS-SNU,
Vice-president: Robert T. Page/ ASA.
Armin Bolliger/UNS und Jaap Rijsdijk had been re-elected as accounts checkers.
1991
On 1st March a change was made in the editorial office of the „FKK-WELTFÜHRERS“ (Naturist World
Guide) published by the INF. Geert Bovenhuis had asked to be released from his post. In a friendly
manner the transfer of the editorial office was made to Alan Mc-Combe, the Honorary President of the
INF. The „FKK-WELTFÜHRER“ is edited every other year and is the most comprehensive reference book
about naturism and for naturist holiday resorts and club sites.
The Honorary President of the INF, Alan Mc Combe, submitted a proposal to the INF Central Committee
to intensify the contact between the friends retired from the active work with the INF and to implement
a „Council of Elders“. This idea received an excellent response, in a way that during its Spring Session
the INF Central Committee convoked 22 former active people into this council. At the end of this book a
list with the members of this „Council of Elders“ is shown, to which more members have been included
over the following years.
1992
From 28th till 30th August 1992 delegates from 19 federations/nations came together at „Paradise
Lakes“ in the area of Tampa/Florida/ USA for the 23rd INF World Congress. At the opening of the congress INF President Bart Wijnberg enjoyed to welcome the representatives of the federations. In their reports both the NFN (Nederlandse Federatie van Naturistenverenigingen) and the ASA (American Sunbathing Association) could report of an annual increase of about 10% for the number of members, the FBN
(Fédération Belge de Naturisme), too, announced growing numbers of members. The FFN (Fédération
Française de Naturisme) has successfully pushed on the reforms started two years ago and has considerably improved its image in the field of publicity works by the publication of a high quality magazine
„NAT-INFO – Les Nouvelles Vacances“ (The new Holidays). After the German Reunification the DFK
(Deutscher Verband für Freikörperkultur e.V.) set up specific priorities for creation of associations and
the Länder-Associations in the German Ländern. LM (Luonnonmukaiset) from Finland announced an
increasing interest in naturism; meanwhile there are 4 approved naturist beaches, the number of members has doubled during the last two years. Also outside of the organized naturist movement numerous
activities were noted. The number of visitors at the „free“ beaches was increasing more and more,
and the press reported of about 20 million nude swimmers worldwide, who were not members of any
association. That way the Dutch club „Vrienden Randstad Natuur“, founded in 1985, developed many
activities, which partly encountered strong opposition from the „organized“ naturists. Besides the usual
naturist events, like swim-and sauna-evenings, gymnastics and Badminton, this club also practices
Bowling-and Skittle-evenings, and, since 1993, also indoor soccer – and all that being nude.
President: Bart Wijnberg/NFN;
1st Vice-president: Karl Dreßen/DFK,
2nd Vice-president: Roger Pallemans/FBN (Executive Committee).
In addition following Vice-presidents were members of the Central Committee:
Karin Bae-Pedersen/NNF;
Jim Christopherson/CCBN;
Page 19
Jean- Yves Decrand/FFN;
Hap Hathaway/ASA und
Josef Stribrny/ÖNV
President of the Legal Commission was:
Dr. Johannes Georg Landolt-Sauvant/UNS-SNU,
Vice-president: Robert T. Page/ ASA.
Armin Bolliger/UNS and Jaap Rijsdijk had been re-elected as accounts checkers.
1993
From 21st till 24th August 1993 the INF celebrated its 40th anniversary at the location of foundation
CHM in Montalivet and at the two neighbouring holiday resorts Euronat and La Jenny. Many former friends, among them Christiane Lecocq, one of the cofounders of the INF, representatives of 18 federations
affiliated to the INF as well as the complete Central Committee had travelled to Montalivet. In the CHM
one square received the name of the INF: „Espace FNI“, a commemorative plaque was unveiled and in
Euronat the „Camp des Jeunes“ (Youth Ground) was officially inaugurated. The Mayor of Vendays-Montalivet gave a reception in the community’s ballroom, at which even the Depute of the „Département
Gironde“ participated. In front of 120 naturists from all over the world the Mayor David emphasized the
excellent cooperation with the CHM, but also with all the naturists from the various countries. Within the
scope of the anniversary an exhibition of photographs and documentation took place, which the author
of this text had compiled. Photographs from the early days of the naturist movement (1908), documents
and magazines, starting with the year 1893 up the present days, were presented on 64 panels. This
exhibition received a very high approval, as proved by many entries into the „Livre d‘or“. Some entries
asked to repeat this exhibition in future. The INF has complied with this request; the exhibition has been
extended and now includes already more than 100 panels. During these celebrations the naturist movie
by Robert Salis „A la recherche du Paradis Perdu“ (Searching for the lost Paradise) was shown as World
premiere. Also, a meeting of the INF Central Committee was held in Montalivet, during which the new
federations in Slovakia and Russia were affiliated as the 30th and 31st federation of the INF.
1994
From 26th till 28th August 1994 Delegates from 22 federations met for the 24th INF World Congress
at the naturist centre RUTAR LIDO in Eberndorf/Kärnten/Austria. As guests the former Vice-presidents
Pierre Deloire, Jess Jessen and Bob Walker were also present. After the elections the Central Committee
was composed as follows:
President: Bart Wijnberg/NFN
1st Vice-president: Karl Dreßen/DFK 2nd Vice-president: Konrad Brönnimann/SNU-UNS
as well as:
Jim Christopherson/CCBN,
Jan Kolderup/NNF,
Paul Lambrechts/FBN,
Jean Claude Liehr FFN und
Petra Scheller/Union FQN-FCN as additional Vice-presidents.
Hans-Jörg Landolt kept the post of President of the Legal Commission; the account checkers Armin Bolliger and Cor van Herp were confirmed in their positions.
Armand Ceolin/FLN was elected as Substitute Account Checker, Kristine Strypsteen/FBN was appointed
for the Committee of the Development Fund.
The most important result of this congress was the creation confirmation of „European Naturist Union –
ENU“, the founded at Paris on 19th March 1994 in Paris within the INF by the 3 largest European FederaPage 20
tions DFK, FFM and NFN. 14 additional European Federations being present at the Congress (ÖNV, FBN,
SNU/UNS, UNA, DNU, LM, MNE, DNH, FE.NA.IT., FLN, RNFA, SNF, UNSK und ZDNS) unconditionally
agreed to cooperate with the ENU, CCBN only under the condition that the ENU must remain within the
INF, NNF declared being willing to cooperate, but could not yet confirm their affiliation. Within the next
2 years a founding Committee of the ENU, composed by representatives of the 3 federations DFK/FFN/
NFN and 2 members of the INF Executive Committee, will elaborate the statutes and rules as well as the
financing program for the ENU together with the INF Statutes Commission. The INF Statutes Commission was given the task to revise the various articles of the amended, respectively completed, statutes
during Congress in Cypress Cove, which are no more up-to-date with the circumstances of the late 20th
century and to adjust them to the present conditions with the view to the future. These adopted statutes
are to be submitted for approval to the 25th Congress in 1996.
1995
For the first time in the 40-years history of the INF an INF President resigned from his post. On 21st
January 1995 Bart Wijnberg resigned for professional reasons. During the last months his professional
activity had become more and more extensive as well as time-consuming, already in the last weeks
the President was unable to attend various INF events. Upon decision by the INF Executive Committee
Karl Dreßen took over the post of President as of 27th January 1995, on interim base. This decision was
definitely confirmed by the INF Central Committee on 18th March 1995. Upon a proposal by the Nederlandse Federatie van Naturistenverenigingen - NFN and after written voting by the members of the INF
Central Committee the Executive Committee appointed Chris Ivens on 25th February 1995 as successor
of Bart Wijnberg into the Central Committee and gave him the Sports Department.
2000
INF-Congress 2000 in Hanover/Germany.
The 27th INF World Congress met close to the borders of the Expo- and Fair City Hanover, on the governmental site of for „Freie Lebensgestaltung (BffL)e.V. Hannover-Misburg“. After all 2000 was to be
the year of Exhibitions, so what could be more obvious than inviting the delegates from 30 national
naturist organizations also to Hanover?
As Karl Dreßen had decided not to run once more for the post as INF president, the Deutsche Verband
für Freikörperkultur e.V.(DFK) had nominated its Vice-president Wolfgang Weinreich as candidate as successor to Karl Dreßen. In 1996 Weinreich already was successor as Vice-president in the INF Committee.
Eventually Wolfgang Weinreich was unanimously elected as new President of the International Naturist
Federation (INF) at the 27th INF-Congress in Hanover, Philippe Cardin, President of the French Federation, became Vice-president, with the Department of Administration. Konrad Brönnimann (CH) was
confirmed at his post of Vice-president (Finance) for the next four years.
Georg Volak (USA), too, was re-elected as Assessor for the next four years. The mandates of Mick Ayers
(GB) and Sieglinde Ivo (A – Youth) are still running. Excitement came up when for the elections of the
INF Sports Assessor, Walter Bothner (D), elected the previous day as Sports Officer by the European Naturist Union (ENU), faced Guy Teulinghx (B) as competitor. The Sports Officer had to be newly elected,
as Chris Ivens (NL) had resigned for personal reasons. The election clearly nominated Walter Bothner,
who will be responsible for Sports in the INF and in the ENU for the next two years.
Numerous tasks were waiting for the new management (Central Committee – CC) like more intensive
use of the new communication facilities, streamlining of the administration, expansion of the youth
works and intensification of Sports are but a few plans, which the new team had put on its agenda. It
was with satisfaction that Cor van Herp (NL) and Armin Bolliger (CH) were confirmed as Account Checkers for the next two years, as this proved that both of them enjoyed the confidence by the Congress at
a high degree.
Swiss Fritz Zaugg was appointed as Substitute Accounts Checker and Armand Ceolin was elected Member of the Development Fund.
Page 21
2002
At invitation by the AANR, its new President Patricia Brown and Dean Hadly of Cypress-Cove Delegates
form 15 countries came to Florida for the 28th INF Congress this year. Blue sky, a magnificent site with
swimming pool, restaurant, bar and idyllic lake gave us the possibility to keep these days of hard working in good and relaxing memory.
Before the actual session of the congress could be started, first a meeting had to be held in relation with
the dissolution of ENU.
Arlette Debbaut, the only committee member attending, led the session. The representatives of France
(Charles Obergfell) and Germany (Detlef Schrader) explained their points of view by short statements.
Also the Italian Delegate (Gianfranco Ribolzi) took position, but against the dissolution. The voting results showed 39 votes for the dissolution and 11 votes against. This was the end of the ENU era.
The actual congress started a bit hectically, as the budget 2003/2004 prepared by the treasurer Konrad
Brönnimann had to be withdrawn. The attending treasurers of the federations took a night shift to establish a new budget. All individual positions were critically rechecked for possible savings, but at the end
a budget could be set up which satisfied all the delegates.
Sports- and Youth events will be continued and promoted at the present extend.
Before starting the election process the President Wolfgang Weinreich informed the delegates that the
Central Committee had decided to dismiss Philippe Cardin from his position, in agreement with Art. 7
paragraph 9c.
Charles Obergfell (FFN) was unanimously elected as Vice-president for the next 4 years.
Treasurer for the next 2 years was Cor Van Herp (NFN).
Had been elected as Assessors for the next 4 years:
For the Sports Roger Viola (FFN)
For the Youth Sieglinde Ivo (ÖNV)
For PR-Europe Mick Ayers (CCBN).
President of the Legal Commission René Nijhof (NFN)
Vice-president of the Legal Commission Michel Moutet (FFN)
Member of the Legal Commission Peter Stebler UNS-SNU
All the proposed candidates had been unanimously elected and all of them accepted their election.
Honours:
In the name of the INF Wolfgang Weinreich honoured Johan Trompert; he thanked him for 30 years of
activity as manager and builder of the simultaneous interpretation equipment and remitted him a gift.
Hans Jörg Landolt received the INF Golden Badge of Honour for his activity as President of the Legal
Commission and as always balancing advisor to the CC.
Konrad Brönnimann received a farewell gift for his courageous steps forward and for his all-over work
so far.
Also the merits of the resigning accounts checker Armin Bolliger were honoured, with special accents
on his very difficult task at the beginning for the accounting and balance as well as auditing.
Various:
Detlef Schrader declared that next year he will not run for any further posts in naturism anymore. He
said goodbye after 14 years of activities to the delegates and wished good all the best to the INF.
Also Arlette Debbaut said goodbye, with best wishes to the INF and the CC.
2004
Dean Hadley (AANR) submitted a resolution to the assembly, which specified that according to the Law
of the State of Virginia, it is forbidden that young people are nude when parents are not present, e.g.
during youth meetings. All attending federations signed this resolution.
Page 22
Back to the roots
At the beginning of the 20th Century the development of the industrial era has highly pushed up the
urbanization and the increase of crowd around the new activity centres. New ways of life have emerged,
the urban life has favoured the access to comfort, proximity to shopping, cultural and public facilities.
But this seemingly attracting way of life imperceptibly created new needs. The transport means, created
by the industry, like urban and regional railways, the first motorized vehicles, bicycles, for a great part
were useful to find again some of the fragments of this open air life, which for centuries had been the
daily experience of the population. This desire to soak from nature manifested itself by various means.
Excursion, holidays, weekend cottages, workers’ gardens, mountain hikes, just to name a few. At different levels this need of contact with the elements of nature became more and more conscious and the
appearance of the saying „back to origin“ did influence many people at such a level that till the end they
acted of this way of thinking, by refusing any kind of separation between man and nature, that nudity in
the natural surrounding has come back, be it at restricted level and repressed during centuries by social
institutions.
Temporarily, wars have diverted people from these good strivings, but this was only a waiting period
and in the mid of the twentieth century, philosophies featured as starting point of applications of any
kind, under which naturism already was very present.
Then followed the epoch which later, at least in France, was called the „The thirty Glorious“. The euphoria of economic growth and the expansion of markets lead to a materialistic development never seen
before. Whereas the new consumer enjoyed the access to goods, which previous generations during
their youth never would have dreamed about, they were easily aware of that this beautiful medal could
have a drawback. Numerous new city residents felt a longing for the bucolic life of their childhood and
the term „back to origin“ became more and more popular. The opportunities of excursions developed
simultaneously and the idea to enjoy nature was admitted into customs and traditions. This greed for
contact with the elements of nature intruded that much with many residents of our industrialized countries, that these, even more significantly then elder people, felt this need of communication with the
environment which only total nudity in the mid of nature can offer.
However this epoch was strongly marked by religious concepts of shame and nudity was badly accepted by the majority of the population. In order to give it an appearance of legitimacy the adherents
surely experienced it with joy, but with a background of a strong moral austerity, to compensate with a
suspect decline. Often vegetarism was connected to it, as well as prohibition of any stimulating agents,
backlog to the modern life as this was leaving us away form nature; one adored sports and everyone
was obliged to acquire sports dresses, in case of need to get dressed. Applications of all these rules
only feasible at specific and concluded places and step by step our countries were covered of many
fenced sites, protected from outside views, which permitted practicing of naturism under relatively quiet
conditions.
By this way foundation of many naturist associations has strongly widespread with, like for any human
establishment, its rules and regulations, the typical condition of a basic organization. As per the specificity of naturism these rules barely differed from one unit to another, which made it easy to federate
them. At the beginning of the ’fifties there were several federations already and in the year 1953 the federation of all federations, the INF, was born, under impulse of very excellent supporters, who set themselves the objective to make naturism accessible to as many people as possible. One of them, Albert
Lecocq, would have achieved many more goals, if he had not lost his life that early in 1968. But I should
get the permission to remind that his wife Christiane further on remained faithful to him by remaining
faithful to naturism. Just look: aged more than 90 years she made the trip to Paris so to remember what
she has founded together with her husband, more than fifty years ago.
First alone, then local, later regional, national and finally worldwide the naturist movement has turned
into a planetary organization. One of the major advantages of the federations is that in each country
they have registered all naturist entities. After gathering of all these information into one guide initiated
by the INF, the naturists already in the first years of its existence had an effective means to meet themselves, to make friends and to open to other cultures in a divided atmosphere, to experience the same
ideal among friends.
Page 23
At the end of the sixties the constraints of censorship quickly slackened and a part of the press, which
we could use to promulgate our ideas, had brought us a lot of new supporters. The spirits freed themselves, yet the respect for other persons remained deeply anchored in our mentalities. This advantage
and at the same time the rejection of compelling habits and irrational obligations constituted a good
background towards naturism, which could easily adapt itself to this conception. In the seventies our
movement developed more and more with other people who shared the same ideas. For example, let
us remember the communities „de l‘Arche“ of Lanza del Vasto, Findhorn in Scotland, the Hippies, the
tendency of New-age, the Yoga-schools and all other groups which gave priority to the human being
and its flourishing: brotherhood, setting value of each existence, rejection of violence, love and respect
for nature. The notion of tolerance became normal and out of this emerged a growing stream to recognize our thoughts.
Living free and being able to get rid of the mandatory clothing for many people was a reaction to the
yoke of a highly severe education, out of which arose such a high demand which could not be fulfilled
by the associations alone. In some countries this tendency had inspired investors to break into this gap.
Commercial naturist centres quickly developed in several countries. Concerned about the public opinion to obtain a decent image, these resorts often referred back to the federations, which thanks to their
moral strictness prepared their way and facilitated to get the approval by the authorities and the public
opinion. In this manner the organized naturism had expanded by an important branch, which in turn
had brought a large number of new adherents to this harmonious and mainly familiar life.
However the idea of common nudity did not stop at the entrance of the resorts, be it clubs or commercial centres. Gradually the proponents of the total nudity in certain countries spontaneously besieged
sea- and other beaches, with results grading from total refusal of neighbourhood to official recognition,
with intermediate situations like more or less tacit acceptance. Several circumstances influenced the
success of such initiatives: the political conditions, the mentalities and the customs of the inhabitants,
the level of development of the local authorities, just to state a few examples. At any rate, wherever
these steps were crowned with success, the naturist possibilities were and will be used by many people
who, from their point of view, are not willing to submit to strict regulations. This opinion is understandable, even acceptable, all the more as some responsible persons of organized resorts have largely
contributed to the official acceptance of nudity on these places, sometimes in order to offer, as a supplement, a natural possibility of swimming, which is missing at their home places.
Simultaneously, these locations often are close to the water, under various forms, and accessible to
everybody. Is this last characteristic interesting? No doubt, when the location is mainly used by naturists
who are attached to our values, because it can serve as showcase and encourage beginners to decide
for our life style. In other cases there are several possibilities: mixtures between nude and clothed persons, adventurers, space for various meetings, satisfaction of certain delusions, etc. Then it is no more
what we propose, because the family spirit which our movement is claiming, is no more there. But let
us beware to judge: yet there is a lot of tolerance here, an advantage we highly appreciate, and we shall
only know how to explain the differences.
Other observations could be made. In some countries like in Germany there are naturist grounds open
to all, but access is subject to a small financial contribution to maintain the site. The behaviour of the
visitors there most of the time is correct. Elsewhere, like in France, the beach clubs, by presence of their
members, lead to a generally acceptable behaviour at such public locations. Although in these two
cases we do not find what we call organized naturism, it shows that a minimum of supervision allows a
security, which cannot be met at totally uncontrolled places. Yet, in a certain sense, do these examples
not refer to organized naturism?
What can be observed is that, when seen from a closer point, the presence of a structure is accepted
rather the positive way and felt as being reassuring. What nowadays is less usual is the participation at
a common work.
The individualism, encouraged by the personal motorized vehicles, the computers limiting each person
in his/her own bubble, the theatres delivered at home by television, a whole giving a delusion in relation
to the neighbour, distracts the people from social life and from all disciplines depending hereon. The
naturist, who does not escape from the context of his time, more and more becomes a consumer. The
mixture between acceptance of an unconstrained structure and satisfaction of his individualism form a
favourable basis to provide customers to the commercial holiday resorts, where they are purchasing naturist services. The more tangible disadvantage here is that in this professional activity, like in any other,
Page 24
the paying customer feels himself as king and, depending on his mood, does or does not abide the
rules, which for long time have given the resorts its specific appearance, especially the fulltime common
complete nudity. How did it happen that we now see such depreciation in some centres, which for long
time represented a privileged world?
In the beginning the majority of these users came from the club sector and justified themselves by their
membership card. In some countries like in France this justification was standard and served to filter the
holiday guests. Meanwhile a more or less naturist clientele has developed which, by reasons given above, do not look for club life. For them „passports“ have been invented, which in fact were only an access formality allowing direct or indirect income to the federations and in most cases also to the resorts
at a considerable supplementary fee. And now the naturist world is caught in the traps of money, with
all the consequences we now know.
We still are not yet freed from them. The French federation has been hit by this phenomenon with full
force and the committees of the other federations are now concerned about their future. Groups and
subgroups push responsibilities to each other, justifiably or not, and crises are arising. The INF is being
attacked and is being blamed for ineffectiveness. But just like the national federations, the INF, too, has
no legal power on the companies which abide the laws of their countries, even when being naturist. It
neither has the power to make people act differently. And the naturist movement is a human institution,
we must not forget this.
In this complicated situation lasting for two years in the European federations, the INF emphasizes on
its solidarity with them and at the same time refuses any concessions with organizations entertaining
dubious intentions. So it happened that last year the INF cancelled its 50-years celebration and the
sports events connected hereto. Foreseen in two large French commercial holiday resorts, these large
events had been reduced to one international Pétanque tournament in Germany, at a club ground where
some committee members could kindly meet. The spirits, still tuned to the originally scheduled celebrations, were able to appreciate the ambiance, created by the volunteer members who had worked tirelessly to make this event a success. And everybody rediscovered our original naturism: large communication between the attendants, spirit of friendship and common sharing of our values. This example,
like others which take place in club circles, has shown that, even if club life is subject to some inevitable
rules gnawing off a little piece of everybody’s individualism, offers as counterpart an ambiance of mutual respect, identifying the original naturism.
Are we now to become Manichaean and pretend that the good naturists are those being club members
and the less good ones all others? Of course not. There are commercial resorts which are managed by
owners being real naturists themselves, their ideal is more important than the turnover and they prefer
to renounce customers who practice nudity as they desire, rather than, as it happens more and more,
to disgust true naturists by the visual pollution of clothed guests, who actually can dispose of 99% of all
existing tourist accommodations. At the same time this cannot serve as excuse for those clubs who welcome transit guests with excessive fees, which is in contradiction with the respect to other people which
we refer to, or others who are no more thinking about the natural life and its principles, or others who
refuse any kind of development and who forget that, what they have built up must also be available to
future generations.
In the present state of thoughts and as leading powers of the organized naturism, with what kind of
view shall we look at the future of our movement? In the light of our observations we note that it is
possible to practice naturism in a healthy way by different means. The non-organized way often is the
occasion of the first step for new members who later on will join us.
We have seen that in their organized field the role of the federations is irreplaceable. They must continue to promote their members and motivated people and always privilege our life style. They can let
the sponsors and the commercial owners, having based their activity on naturism, benefit from their
recommendations, that means people who run an honest business, with a high moral value, and who
themselves are impregnated by and convinced of our philosophy, also being prepared to transmit this
to their staff and to act by example. These values, sometimes left out because of short-term concerns,
must constitute our policy.
The INF can only remain strong provided all its member federations, whilst adapting to the surrounding
world, remain faithful to the unrestrictedly principles announced and approved at the congress in SériPage 25
gnan thirty years ago. The naturist when buying their annual licence, must be aware that by this action
they of course support the recognition of naturism in their country, but also the access to it, under dignified conditions for the citizens who knock at the INF’s door to find arguments permitting to intervene at
their authorities.
Let us be able not to lose us in destructive quarrels, whilst other countries open themselves to naturism
and establish their new structures in the pioneering spirit, which some decades ago prompted our precursors. Only this return to our roots will secure the continuation of a cheerful naturism.
Charles Obergfell
INF Vice-president
2005
At the 29th General Assembly of the INF an 28th August 2004 it had been decided to move the INF head
office from Zurich ((Switzerland) to Bonn (Germany).
This move was carried out by the foundation of a registered association under German Law. This association bears the name: Internationale Naturisten-Föderation (INF-FNI)
with head office in Bonn (Germany). Meanwhile the registration of this new association also has successfully been closed at the District Court in Bonn, the association has been registered under Number
VR 8483.
Therefore it is now necessary to dissolve the International Naturist Federation (INF) under the Swiss
Law. For the self-dissolution as per Swiss Law, a written vote, at which at least 4/5 of the ordinary members must participate, is required as per Article 16 § 1 of the Statutes of this association.
We expressively point out that the office -- as decided at the General Assembly in Valalta in 2004 – remains in Antwerp. Therefore the Central Committee has decided to register the INF-FNI office also as a
branch office in Belgium.
The Central Committee proposes to the ordinary members, to dissolve the International Naturisten Federation (INF) according to the Swiss Law and also proposes to conduct a postal vote.
2006
LEGAL STATUS OF NATURISM IN THE WORLD
We understand that the topic for discussion at a World Congress on Naturism must involve the work of
all Federations from the moment it is proposed to the beginning of the Congress proper. It must foster
Naturism all over the world, and within each participant country. And it must also be a subject, which
may allow us to put our conclusions down on paper and be published.
Our proposal involves that each FNI/INF country sends at least an A-4, one side, sheet of paper, which
clearly states which the country’s legal framework for non-sexual nudism in public is. Furthermore, the
legal status of nudism as a movement, the law applied to women in terms of equality, legal steps to be
taken if arrested or arraigned, are specific topics to be dealt with, as well.
As the legal terms can be misleading, we recommend a careful translation into English, preferably by an
English-speaking lawyer.
Once all the reports have been received and translated into the three FNI official languages, (to which
we will add Spanish as the language of the host country, Spain,) they will be compiled and given an introduction based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Treaties written by an
acknowledged jurist in International Law, (if he/she happens to be Spanish, we will request Mr.Garzón
to do it and hope he accepts). That said compilation would eventually become a book, which should be
published before we meet at the Congress, so as to be launched it while the Congress is being held.
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This piece of work will encourage changes by comparing the laws of each country; that is, those that
may do without legislation for the purpose of regulating when and how to clothe the body, –which we
believe is the ideal status- or favourable legislation in those countries which do have one. The book
could be issued in detached format, which would allow us to associate countries in a way that they may
be shown together as models for a better or, even, for non-existent legislation on the issue, in order to
press for changes towards a more tolerant legal consideration, this being a major function of the INF/
FNI.
The book would also be very useful to every naturist who holidays abroad since the laws vary substantially from one country to another, even in old Europe.
We hope this proposal pleases you. We look forward to your prompt reply in order to start working on
this project as soon as possible.
Ismael Rodrigo, president of the FEN, (Spanish Naturist Federation)
2008
The 31st Biennial World Congress held from 10th September 2008 until 13th September 2008 in Brazil
has now been successfully completed and we must record our appreciation to the Brazilian Naturist
federation together with the Brazilian government for their considerable efforts to make this ground
breaking congress a reality.
The beachside setting of the congress proved a challenge requiring all facilities to be set up in a very
short time. This included bringing in electrical cables from the national grid to allow the proper running
of the meetings. The event proved a great source of publicity in Brazil and in South America generally
and will have enhanced and boosted the interest in a naturist lifestyle in that part of the world. It should
not be under estimated how such publicity and events can provide the incentive to increase our numbers and the commercial interests offered such as tourism which is so important to so many countries.
The Congress was of course the first to be held in South America and in fact in the southern hemisphere and underlines INF-FNI’s role as the world naturist organisation. The idea of travel to South America
for a large number of delegates and equipment may seem to many to be a costly enterprise however,
in fact, this actual Congress proved to be the least expensive to INF ever as a result of the collaboration
between the Brazilian Federation and the Brazilian Government particularly the Ministry of Tourism and
the Department of Paraiba. Again their considerable contribution must be acknowledged and recognised.
The beach of Tambaba itself is a delightful setting very well used by local naturists as well as the increasing number of visitors and the requirement for compulsory nudity ensures its future for naturism.
For anyone considering a naturist holiday to this part of the world then this must be high on the list of
places to visit. I am certain that the delegates the this years Congress will not forget their visit and join
me in a hearty thank you to Brazil for hosting this prestigious event.
2008
The Interfederal Meeting, held at the NFN ended with positive results for the INF. All the federations felt
that the INF is very important. They want to belong to a worldwide organization.
We must inform you about the decision by the Central Committee to close the office in Antwerp, with
immediate effect. The high maintenance costs as well as the unfavourable labour laws in Belgium made
it necessary to make this step, although it was not easy to do it. In order to remain within the budgets
and simultaneously fulfil the expectations and requirements by the federations we found out that it is
impossible to continue the office in the present form, with all the activities and expenditures. Given the
fact that the majority of the INF/FNI information can be found in Internet, it was now the right moment
for this action. In case you send inquiries to the INF-FNI office by email, you will notice no change. The
email addresses remain the same.
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2009
The Interfederal Meeting took place from 20th till 24th May 2009, at which 12 delegates from Europe
participated. We had been invited by the French Federation at the holiday centre „Domaine de Laborde“
at Monflanquin and were welcomed by warm Spring weather and sunshine.
Main discussion subject was the creation of a structure for the fields Youth, Sports and Events in Europe. During the last Congress in Brazil it had been decided to withdraw these 3 groups from the INF and
to have them being administered by the European Federations. 3 persons out of the European Federations were elected and will assume this task in future.
Also the motion by the Irish Federation INA was discussed in depth, the subject of which was to start a
European wide campaign to avoid discrimination of the naturists in future, and that the legislation in all
countries shall be the same for the naturists. Many different items from the European Federations had
been discussed and much information could be exchanged.
The next meeting of the Interfederal Meeting will be held in Luxembourg in March 2010.
In September the new office of the INF-FNI will be opened in Austria.
2010
Resignation of Cor as treasurer of the INF.
The library created by Karlwilli Damm and continued by his son Jörg Damm is the most important naturist documents collection in the world. It not only has a special place value for research, but also to anyone dealing with the history of naturism. In 2012 the library moved from Brauntal to Hanover. Together
with the move Jörg Damm gave up the management.
The INF-FNI moves form Bonn to Linz (Austria), according to the decision by the Congress in Pizzo Greco the INF-FNI head office will also be moved from Bonn to Linz.
In order to adjust to present times the INF-FNI will attend fairs, this offer to the federations to participate
will have to be developed later. The INF supports the federations in that way that it will absorb the costs
for the stands.
A new website will be installed and attempts are made to build up more contacts with commercial
resorts.
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