Lapland resident defends nudist beaches amidst closure of popular Finnish spot

Pekka, a resident of a small town in Lapland, is puzzled by people’s disapproval of nudity. According to him, he has had positive experiences at naturist or nudist beaches. Pekka has frequently visited Yyteri nudist beach in Pori. “The nudist beach is full of naked people, and people are there together. All sorts of things might happen, but you can look away if you don’t like what’s going on,” he says.

Yyteri nudist beach was closed in 2021 due to reported fringe activities. However, recent news indicates that the beach is still being used by naturists. One example of such activities was reported by Ilta-Sanomat in the summer of 2019, where a man claimed to have witnessed group sex at Yyteri beach. “I have indeed seen people making love on the beach. There might be people who want to show off, to present themselves,” Pekka also shares.

“When you go to such a place, you should have the attitude that you might come across naked people,” he adds.

Yyteri nudist beach was shielded from view. According to Pekka, he has always enjoyed nudist beaches – he describes nudity as a form of self-expression. Pekka believes that it’s important for mental health to be able to be naked if there’s a psychological need for it.

“It is very important for people who don’t have a place at home to be naked. Living in a row house or apartment, you really can’t be naked in your home yard,” he says.

Pekka himself says he is lucky because he lives in a house with a yard where nudity is possible. “It’s really difficult if there is no such opportunity anywhere. We should definitely have such places,” he concludes.