For English speaking friends

Thielle, July 6th ,2008

Dear English speaking friends of Thielle and naturism in Switzerland,

taking advantage of a short rainy period at our campground on lake Neuchâtel, I thought of letting you know in brief about the latest clouds and shades over here.
Perhaps, during the last few years, you’ve experienced yourself or heard through friends that we’ve had to cope with quite a few irritations, troubles and difficulties in leadership and administration in our beloved paradise on the lake shores.
Not wanting to bore you with details of all fights from the past, you may have heard of the foundation of two groups NRT (Network Renaissance Thielle ) and IGT (Interested Group of Thiellians) who worked hand in hand for the effort of restoring the spirit of the founding fathers.
The annual meeting of all ONS (Organisation of Naturists in Switzerland) members took place on May11th, 2008 (Whitsun) at the campground and was announced to be very important as many decisions and elections were to be made.
And indeed, this weekend brought the final turn-around to a happier future of Thielle!!!
Instead of the expected 80-200 members more than 400(!!) members inscribed to express their will and decisions through votes, statements and elections for a new leadership committee of ONS. Beforehand, the nearly forbidden “underground” movement Renaissance Thielle had brilliantly prepared the whole procedure in an extremely professional, skillfull and effective way so that in the end of a marathon-meeting the previous dictatory members of a so felt terror regime had resigned and could be replaced by the originally nominated persons.
Now the new fresh wind of the defenders of the “spirit of Thielle” can be felt everywhere on the campground. It brings back liberty, creativeness and joy where anger, unpoliteness, injustice and fear had spread before.
Christian Grünig, who had so well done his work as a warden before the last regime “reigned” has taken over again, -ad interim- assisted by Martin Haller and is supported by the help of many volunteers who offered spontaneous support and who are happy to share the new gained independence through building up again what seemed to be lost.
They are all supported and strengthened by even a judgement of the Federal Court for Administrative Affairs that decided in May that it was wrong what had been done to Thielle and its legal foundation members by a handful of self-announced sovereigns.
Kurt Hofer and Walter Haefeli were restored as legally elected “Stiftungsräte”(=foundation board members).
Perhaps you have not heard of the fact that those who had risen their voice or had taken part in signing lists to abolish mismanagement were either excluded from the campground, the summer program or both. Some were accused and prosecuted by campaigns of hatred and fear. But as soon as it became clear that the Federal Court judges would support the efforts of the NRT movement, accuses were withdrawn and the previous warden resigned from his job by declaring himself to be ill.
So now, when walking over the campgrounds, you can literally see the new-gained freedom on the announcement boards, where quotations of great writers and poets found their place again as mottos of the day or for the brighter future to come.
People are so relieved and happy and the joy is more than contagious!!!
- The newly set up summer program offers more than before and events can be announced spontaneously and without fear of restrictions. It is open again for new participants and ideas.
- Our beloved and so well-prepared “Open Space Workshop” that fascinated both young and old during the last 2 years, will take place again on July 20th.

- Now you can assemble freely again on the big meadow in front of the house, without fear of suspicious eyes or controls from behind the curtains in the office.
- The cookers beside the house and the open kitchen are for free again and your donations are not mistrusted.
- The sauna is for free again and can be used by any paying guest without a “policeman’s” control.
- People who were accused, prosecuted or wrongly expelled are invited to come back through legal support.
- Old members of Honour like Horst or a person like Kari may stay or come back to the camp.
- The whole house is given back to and opened up for the public again. The old TV room upstairs will be re-opened.
- There is common agreement among all groups and committees concerned with the further development or work of or for the camp.
- The rental of caravan sites is open again for anyone’s claims and competition and there are no excluding lists anymore.
- New members who support the spirit of the founders, who do not smoke, do not drink alcohol, do not eat meat or do not use any drugs are largely welcome.
- Voluntary work and support are encouraged and welcome.
- There is a new book-shelf in the house without censorship of alternative titles.
- Initiatives of any kind will be encouraged, though finances should be kept low for the moment.
- Public hearings take place on the terrace under the balcony and all guests can utter their statements freely and without previous restrictions.
- PEACE shall reign over the whole campground as symbolized through the new flagpole with the 2 new flags: a white one for peace as well as the international rainbow-coloured one for peace.

With the sunshine and warmth coming back, let me conclude for today: You are cordially welcome to spend your holidays again in Thielle, this unique place of power and learning, a place for old and young, disabled and those able to help, a paradise for laughter, good humour and big friendships, a great old place to discover anew, a place for respect and humanity…and last but not least do remember my old father’s motto: “dresses may make personalities, but no dresses make us all one and human”

HBH