From lakes to saunas and parks: Is Germany’s nudist culture, known as FKK, dying out or still making waves? It’s still strong enough to inspire a change of attitude for Berlin-based expats.
At first glance it seems like a regular beach scene: Children running in and out the water, sandwiches being passed around families and couples sunning themselves.
But on closer inspection most people at Krumme Lanke, a lake in the south west of Berlin have something in common.
They aren’t wearing a scrap of clothing. And it’s a non-event. No one cares and no one is surprised. There’s nothing sexy about it. It’s 25C; it’s a very hot spring day and there’s really no need for clothing if you don’t feel like wearing it.
Three letters allowing everyone to get naked: FKK
Germany has a tolerance and, in some cases, a fondness for being “textile free.” Whether it’s one of the country’s hundreds of spas and wellness resorts, parks or lakes, many citizens here are known for having no qualms about taking their clothes off.
Read more: Where to get naked in Germany
This is the country of FKK — Freikörperkultur — an informal movement that translates to free body culture.
But with bans on public nudity and the popularity of naked swimming in decline in Germany, advocates of nudist culture fear FKK is on it’s way out.
A declining tradition?
East Berlin-born Gregor Gysi, President of the European Left, spoke out last year on the decline of FKK and called for more designated areas for nudists.
For more read the full of article at The Dw
