In Rimini, Beach Dancing Is Back

Among the typical Italian bans, often absurd and senseless, the prohibition on dancing on beaches stands out. It has various origins, mostly linked to public order or security concerns, but it certainly goes against the very essence of the beach as a social space. In Romagna, finally, something seems to be changing.

As reported by Il Resto del Carlino, the Municipality of Rimini has decided to reopen dancing events, albeit with certain limitations, following a standoff with the police chief. After twenty years of controversy, fines and charges, organizing dance events by the seaside will no longer be prohibited. With the new amendment to the beach plan—the urban planning tool that sets the rules for the shoreline—dancing will be allowed. “But we won’t permit the opening of actual nightclubs on the beach,” clarified Valentina Ridolfi, councillor for public property. “With the amendment, we’ll give the possibility to have entertainment dancing as well, but only occasionally and in open spaces, without the addition of specific structures. This opportunity will be granted only to those beach establishments that will be created from macro-aggregations, that is from the merger of at least 8 bathing facilities.”

Interested operators will need to obtain a license for dancing and equip themselves with all safety measures provided by applicable laws. But this is still a step forward. In fact, last year fines and charges were issued against the managers of various beach bars and in some cases DJ booths were even seized. Now, with the amendment to the beach plan, Rimini is ready to legitimize beach dancing.