Barefoot - and More - in the Park

An uproar in Munich over undress in a public place

All over Europe the Germans are famous as nude sun bathers. But at home in their own cities a certain sartorial conservatism has long applied. This summer, though, in the city of Munich, a terrible uproar arose as crowds of young nudists began nonchalantly strolling alongside fully clothed pedestrians in the famous 600-acre Englische Garten. The young strippers quickly became a major tourist attraction, even threatening to rival the rosy Rubens nudes in the city's Alte Pinakothek. But the burghers of Munich were not amused.

It all began two years ago when young people started disregarding STAY OFF THE GRASS signs to picnic and sunbathe on the park's green expanse. Next, a few students from the nearby university shed their bras. Panties followed, and some men forgot their trunks. Dips in the park's crystal-clear waters became skinny-dips. But the real ecdysiast explosion commenced this summer. By last week, as temperatures rose, at least 400 nudes sprawled provocatively alongside the park's main path. In fact, passers-by wearing street clothes were often hailed with cries of "Why don't you take your clothes off too?"

These goings-on, or takings-off, stirred the wrath of an archdiocesan layman's group. In an irate open letter to Lord Mayor Erich Kiesl that drew banner headlines in Munich, the Catholic association declared: "The many nude people in the garden disturb and offend those decent citizens who want to use it for recreational purposes." Many citizens agreed. Asked Housewife Ingrid Steinberger: "Why should I be forced to look at naked behinds?" The letter also threatened vigilante action if the police refused to take steps. Equally outraged, though not notably logical, the forces of nudity argued back. Asked pretty Student Lia Walden, 24: 'Why don't those pious Catholics take offense at the naked putti and angels that dot our churches?" Said another: "The majority of passers-by seem delighted to see us."

So far, the police have steered clear of the ruckus. "Surely there exists a certain polarization between the ashamed dressed and the unashamed nudes!" exclaimed Assistant Lord Mayor Winfried Zehet-meier. "But if there are no indecent actions, nothing can be legally done."

A leading Munich newspaper called a public forum in the park to discuss the issue. The main speaker, an attractive young woman, took the podium with breasts bare. Georg Schmidt, representative of the Munich police department, told a crowd of 2,000 that it would be "risky" to prosecute the nudists. "A policeman carrying off an unclad woman naturally would have to touch her naked body," Schmidt explained. "Inevitably this would expose him to the charge of indecent acts." The only solution to Munich's touchy situation seems to lie in the rains and chilling temperatures of fall.

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