Helsinki City Council to participate in string bikini debate in September

Deputy Mayor says skimpy beachwear "not appropriate" for urban surroundings

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The City Council of Helsinki is next to deal with the vexed issue of bikinis, which has recently been upsetting people in parks in the Finnish capital. Councillor Antti Vuorela (SDP) is to introduce the matter at the Council meeting on September 3rd.
      ”I would like to know whether or not these rules apply to mothers only or whether there are such rules for fathers, too”, Vuorela explains.
      Helsingin Sanomat reported on the bikini ban on Sunday a week ago.
     
The heated bikini debate was launched in the Tapuli residential park in Helsinki’s suburb of Tapaninkylä. A mother was sunbathing on a blanket by the pool, keeping an eye on her two sons, who were splashing in the children’s swimming pool.
      A female member of the park staff came over and asked her to dress up. According to her, an adult is not allowed to wear a bikini in a children's play park.
     
Last Friday, an announcement was made in a park in Helsinki’s suburb of Vuosaari, saying that wearing strings and tops the size of a postage stamp is forbidden, while a ”normal” bikini is allowed. What determines a normal bikini was not disclosed.
      Councillor Vuorela, a resident of Tapanila himself, does not regard this as a trivial matter.
      ”Women are entitled to decide what to wear, and they do not need any advice from the city”, Vuorela notes.
     
Vuorela is looking for some answers from Paula Kokkonen, the Deputy Mayor in charge of social affairs and public health. Councillor Vuorela hopes that Kokkonen would confirm that such orders are illegal and they will no longer be given.
      And what does Kokkonen say?
      ”Bathing suits are not appropriate in urban surroundings. In a city, people have to wear more than just strings”, commented the Deputy Mayor.
     
At the September meeting, Antti Vuorela will want to hear for example whether or not the dress code is based on the Public Order Act.
      Paula Kokkonen calls for common sense, saying that one has to be able to assess the situation.
      ”In a sauna we can bathe naked", she says, "but in public places we have to wear appropriate clothing. I would advise everybody to chill out somewhat regarding the matter."
      Kokkonen also pointed out that as well as there being many kinds of bikini, there were equally many kinds of body that are fitted into them.
      The current damp and chilly weather is unlikely to fire up the debate very much.


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  Helsinki City Council

Helsingin Sanomat