In Helsinki, topless beach life is legal

Toplessness is definitely a recurring topic in Finnish life. In 2022, we remember that Prime Minister Sanna Marin had to apologize for photos showing some of her guests topless at her official residence. The controversy was mainly political, at a time when the head of government was already in the sights of her opponents who denounced a festive and decadent life, the opposite of what they wanted to expect from a politician.

The public appearance of bare breasts was less of an issue. In fact, in Helsinki, women are perfectly entitled to drop their swimsuit tops just as much as men when sunbathing on the beach. Surprisingly, local authorities actually went so far as to legislate on the subject last year, reports the European Citizens’ Portal. TheMayor.euand this is for the sake of equality between the two sexes, according to Kerttu Hynni, head of the Helsinki city recreation team.

This decision has probably not been publicized. That is why it is only being talked about today. However, not only is it a first in the country of Santa Claus, but toplessness has already been the subject of mobilization by feminist activists. In 2019, a demonstration called a “topless flashmob” was organized following the intervention of the police on a beach in Hyvinkää because a woman had dropped the top of her swimsuit. In the wake of the “free the nipple” movement, the participants had called for the removal of restrictions when it came to exposing the female breast.

On a much lighter note, this political decision will also probably make those who have never been to Helsinki question the presence of beaches. The Finnish capital being totally turned towards the Gulf of Finland, which separates the country from Estonia, swimming is indeed an activity in the daily life of the Finns with a multitude of spots located all along the coast.