"Surprised, yes, but not embarrassed. I was there for an institutional meeting, I confess that I didn't expect to find naked people in front of me". Sara Vacca, councilor for health policies of the Municipality of Arbus, talks about the inauguration of the festival "L'Isola nuda", a journey between art and the right to nudity in Piscinas, the longest naturist beach in Europe since 2018. The initiative, unique in Italy, is in its fourth edition.
The invitation
The organizers, the Teatro d'inverno company, in collaboration with the national association Nudiverso, sent a note to the Municipality to present the program and invite the mayor, Paolo Salis, and his council. "Always at the forefront of the protection and sustainable enhancement of your territory - they write - we will be happy to invite you to the opening day of the festival for an institutional greeting that will be held in the "L'oasi del cervo" farmhouse. It will be an opportunity for exchange and discussion to consolidate collaborations and build new synergies in the integrated management of the beach and in dialogue with local economic operators, also in view of the final approval of the Coastal Use Plan. Invitation accepted. "I'll start by saying - says Vacca - that this is something new. Last year it was the mayor and the tourism councilor, William Collu, who represented the administration, this year it was my turn. I didn't imagine the welcome in a closed place, an annex of the farmhouse, where there were guests without veils and other clothes. A change compared to 2024, when everyone was dressed for the institutional greeting. A change of program I believe linked to the objective, nudity as a tourist attraction, a moment of meeting, a welcome without prejudice".
Equipped beach
"We discussed - continues Vacca - the Coastal Plan that is waiting for the green light from the Region. The inclusion of the naturist beach is planned, with a lido, walkways and delimitation with signs. It is now a reality, a new trend of tourism, promotional and economic, that the Municipality wanted and supports". A thought shared by the tourism operators. "When I was asked to host nudists in my farmhouse - recalls the owner of the Oasi del cervo, Angela Vacca - I had a moment's hesitation. I accepted thinking of hosting them in a room separate from the central structure. Once the festival is over, I would gladly do it again, people who are polite and respectful of those who think differently". The same goes for the president of the Ceas of Ingurtosu, Beatrice Soddu: "Our guide was scheduled on a route on the dunes barefoot, the temperature of 40 degrees did not allow it. The naturist beach is welcome, recognized and equipped. They will have their space, the same that for years has been occupied illegally by lovers of full-body sunbathing".
