PROPOSAL TO THE INF AT THE INTERFEDERAL MEETING, EL TEMPLO DEL SOL.
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     We have traditionally celebrated the International Day for Naturism on the first Sunday of June. However, these last years, the date has been moved to the first of May, (Labour Day). These changes have led to confusion among naturists and mass media, as to the reason for these days of celebration.
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    How do we get to set a date for a commemoration or as a testimony of a demand for a social right?
     a) Because of a historical event, as with Labour Day, in remembrance of the massacre of workers in Chicago as they demanded a reduction in working hours and other social gains.
     b) Because of a natural or astronomical event, as with the solstices or change of seasons. This goes quite well with our philosophy of life. In Madrid we usually set observance days on weekends close to these natural events.
     c) Because of the birthday or death anniversary of somebody, historically relevant, who started, promoted or identified himself with the idea which is the object of celebration. This is very common in the Christian culture, by setting the dates of the death of certain saints, (or their birth to a heavenly life); secular examples are Saint Velentine´s Day, which is even celebrated in Far East countries, quite removed from our culture. Other examples are those of Shakespeare and Cervantes, which are coincidently observed on the same day.

Our proposal falls flat on this last category: we identify with Saint Francis of Assisi, or Francis, a historical character, much to the liking of our Italian friends, and celebrated on the 4th of October.     This historical Italian shook up the Catholic Church and the society of his time and his influence is still felt today, (It is a wonder to see how many Web-pages are dedicated to this saint). Why do we propose the celebration of this historical character?     Francis began his new life by getting rid of all his material goods, even his clothes, which he gave to his father, to set off naked through the streets of his city and then to withdraw to the countryside to live. On numerous occasions, he, as well as his initial followers, resorted to this symbolism of taking off their clothes to preach their detachment from superfluous goods. They even did that in front of the Catholic hierarchy, shedding their clothes in the presence of their bishop. Many among us also see nudism as a rebellion against a society of consumers, a society of brand names and makes, against a society based on appearance and difference in clothing.

    Furthermore, Francis´s view of nature, to the point of calling the Sun and the Moon, ‘brother Sun’ and ‘sister Moon’, makes him closer to our philosophy of Nature.

    Therefore, we propose to the INF board, and also to all world naturists, to consider this proposal from Spain, taking advantage of the Interfederal Meeting at El Templo del Sol to present it. This is a place in which ‘brother Francis’ would certainly have felt very comfortable due to the effort put in by the members of the Association of Friends of the Naturist Beach of El Torn.

    As the historical importance of Francis of Assisi goes well beyond both its religious or cultural boundaries, we want to remark that this celebration would carry with it additional benefits to associations and individuals that are member of the Catholic Church since there is no incompatibility between the Christian religion and both naturism or mere nudism. Let us not forget that for many, Francis of Assisi is the most important saint in the history of the Christian faith.

     On the 4th of October 2003, some public events to launch and promote the idea will take place after the monthly nudist bath at the Casa de Campo swimming pool, starting at 11:30 in the morning. We really believe that this proposed celebration can be very useful to the spread of our ideology.