Credit: SLNL
Luxembourg will host the international congress of the International Naturist Federation (INF-FNI) for the first time from 20 to 23 October 2022; this congress will bring together about 50 national federations at Hotel NH Luxembourg.
Speaking to Chronicle.lu ahead of this gathering, Armand Ceolin, member of Sports et Loisirs Naturistes, Luxembourg asbl (SLNL) and auditor of INF-FNI, explained the origins and activities of both the INF-FNI and the Luxembourgish Naturist Federation (Fédération Luxembourgeoise de Naturisme - FLN), as well as what topics will be addressed at this international congress.
Chronicle.lu: When was the International Naturist Federation created and what is its main mission? How many "members" or federations does it include?
Armand Ceolin: The International Naturist Federation (INF-FNI) was created on 22 and 23 August 1953 in Centre Helio-Marin Montalivet (France), mainly based on the initiative of the French Naturist Federation (Fédération Française de Naturisme - FFN) as well as the German Naturist Federation (Deutscher Verband für Freikörperkultur - DFK). The INF-FNI represents nowadays 37 national federations as well as fourteen official correspondents all over the world. Thus, the INF-FNI stands today for around 450,000 individuals.
Chronicle.lu: When was the Luxembourg Naturist Federation set up? What sort of activities do you organise here in Luxembourg?
Armand Ceolin: The Luxembourg Naturist Fédération (Fédération Luxembourgeoise de Naturisme - FLN) was founded in 1984 and represents the two naturist campsites in Luxembourg: De Reenert - part of Camping Fuussekaul in Heiderscheid, as well as the naturist site of Camping Bleesbreck close to Diekirch. The third member is the naturist association Sports et Loisirs Naturistes, Luxembourg asbl (SLNL), a family-oriented non-profit organisation that exists since 1980 and is the proud owner of a 4 ha large naturist site near Luxembourg City. The association counts around 300 members and is the only naturist club in the Grand Duchy.
All members can participate in the international sport events and meetings that are organised by the INF-FNI: a yearly international swimming gala that will take place beginning of November 2022 in Belgrade (Serbia), a yearly international petanque tournament, youth meetings, family meetings in Northern and Southern Europe, and many others.
SLNL in Luxembourg offers to all its members the possibility of nude recreation on its fully equipped naturist site. Different sports can be practised on this site, like archery, swimming, bowls, volleyball, etc. Not forgetting, of course, the relaxation and seamless tanning surrounded by luxurious nature, far from the smell and noise of the city.
Chronicle.lu: Is this the first time that Luxembourg is hosting the international congress? Why was Luxembourg chosen this year (is the event held annually?)? Does it rotate between the different federations?
Armand Ceolin: It is the first time that the Luxembourg Naturist Federation has the honour to organise this congress, that according to the statutes must be held every second year and rotates among the different affiliated federations. Every fifth congress shall be organised according to internal regulations on another continent than Europe.
Chronicle.lu: What are the main topics to be discussed at (or the main goals of) this international congress?
Armand Ceolin: The main topics at every congress are the preparation of the budget for the coming years, elections of board members and auditors, discussions on the reports of the different national federations that communicate their successes but sometimes also their failures.
The exchange between the national delegates is a very important factor where experiences and advice are shared.
Amendments to the statutes and regulations proposed by the different federations are also discussed and put to vote mainly to consider the technological and socio-cultural developments of society.
