Finnish Saunas are a huge part of their lifestyle, where people rarely wear clothes and it is not unusual to have them in Finnish homes.
'Currently, Finland has more saunas than personal vehicles.' - Wiki
Sauna Rules
To see how different Finnish saunas are compared to English ones, here are a list of rules:
1. There are no sauna rules in Finland. This list is only for foreign readers. Once you have read and internalised this list, there will be no more rules for you, either.
2. If you turn down an invitation to a sauna, you’d better have a good reason. It is an honour to be invited to a sauna. Go on, just give it a try.
3. Forget about coloured lights, aromatic fragrances and mood music. In the sauna it is nearly dark and there should be no smell – just birch or natural tar at the most. Music is never played in a Finnish sauna.
4. Forget about the clock. And forget about the little sand timer that tells you when you’re supposed to throw more water on the stove. In a Finnish sauna, you can throw more water on whenever you want.
5. Everybody can go in the sauna. Saunas are good for everyone. Only babies and people with serious conditions like open wounds or heart problems should avoid the sauna. Everybody else can go in the sauna with no problems – the Finns have been doing it for generations and have survived to tell the tale.
6. A Finnish sauna is a place for relaxation. You can take off your clothes without worrying about it. That’s how all of us were born and Finns, they really don’t mind. They also don’t mind if you’ll wrap yourself with a towel to make you feel more comfortable.
7. Who goes into the sauna together? The usual Finnish way is for families to go in the sauna together. Or the women can go together first, and then the men. This is how it’s generally done in larger groups. Men and women who do not know each other don’t go in the sauna together. And no – in a Finnish sauna you normally don’t wear a swimsuit or a towel.
8. Be sure to drink plenty. You can also take a beer or cider into the sauna.
9. A ‘vasta’ or ‘vihta’ (the name depends on the region) is a bundle of fresh birch twigs and the best thing that can happen to your skin. You’ll feel the benefits afterwards and will notice how smooth your skin is after the combination of sauna and vasta. Mother Nature knows best.
10. Have you read these rules carefully? Good. Now forget that they were called rules! The headline was just a trick to grab your attention. There really aren’t any rules in a Finnish sauna. Saunas are relaxed, easy-going places.
Sauna Article
Here is an article about Finnish saunas, and what I find strange is that some women give birth in saunas, and it is seen as normal - that is unheard of in England!
The sauna plays a large part in Finish culture: five million people live in Finland and there are over two million saunas. In Finland saunas are not just a leisure activity and a place to relax with friends and family. Saunas are considered a necessity to a person’s physical health and mental wellbeing.
The tradition of the sauna has a long history in Finland. During the reformation, when elsewhere in Europe personal hygiene was not a priority, records show that Fins were bathing at least once a week.
Saunas were a traditional part of Finnish houses because they are so versatile and useful as part of a working household. The sauna is a naturally sterile environment that can be used for cooking, washing and even giving birth. More than anything though the sauna provided a welcome and warming break from the extreme cold of the Finnish winter.
How to use a Finnish sauna
Step 1 – Take a cleansing shower before entering the sauna to rid your body of all superficial dirt.
Step 2- Enter the sauna and take a seat letting the heat saturate your body. Bear in mind that the higher the bench in the sauna, the higher the temperature.
Step3 – Soak up the heat, your skins pores will open and you will begin to sweat. If you want to add some moisture to the air throw some water on the stones but note that the steam will increase the temperature.
Step 4 – Take a break to cool down and drink some water. Feel free to repeat the bathing process several times to get the full benefits.
Step 5 – Take a shower to give your skin a final cleanse and cool your body right down.
Taking a regular sauna steam bath is a great method of relaxation to help reduce stress. The sauna has even been cited as having medicinal qualities and is linked to the improvement of weight issues, fluid imbalance and high blood pressure.
Sauna Types
As they are such a big part of the Finn culture, there are many different types of saunas and variations. Here is an extract from an article about them, giving a little insight on what to expect.
'It’s said there are enough saunas in Finland to easily accommodate all 5.4 million Finns simultaneously – there’s even one inside parliament.
Be it a wood, smoke or electric, private or public, one with a glass wall overlooking a lake or one in an apartment basement, there is always a sauna close by and it is probably being heated right now.'
Kuopio
This is a Lakeland town, and has some of the best lake views Finland has to offer. Lakeland is the biggest Lake District in Europe, and swarming with nature.
Kuopio is home to the worlds biggest sauna, . Here is a description of it from Lonely Planet:
There are different types of saunas, but the smoke sauna is the original and, some say, the best. This, the largest in the world (although few other countries have made an attempt on the record), is a memorable and sociable experience that draws both locals and visitors.
The lakeside Jätkänkämppä sauna is at a former loggers' camp near the Rauhalahti Tourist Centre. The 60-person, mixed sauna (record capacity is 103 people) is heated a full 24 hours in advance with a big wood fire, hence the name 'smoke sauna'. Guests are given towels to wear but bring a swimsuit for a dip in the lake. The technique is to sweat it out for a while, cool off in the lake, then repeat the process several times - devoted sauna-goers do so even when the lake is covered with ice. Then buy a beer from the friendly attendant and relax, looking over the lake in a Nordic peace.
Traditional of Finland, the centre of the town is a big market. This Market Hall in Kuopio is one of the oldest buildings in the town. It sells groceries as well as different sauna essentials such as sauna mats.
Cultural Events
Finland has some very questionable events from Air Guitar to Reindeer Racing. Here are just a few of them.
Silliest Events in Finland
Air Guitar Championships
People from all over the world come and partake in this competition in Oulo over a three day period. Instead of playing a real instrument, participants go on stage and air guitar to music.
Legend has it this sport has been around for two centuries now. It is a physical obstacle course game, with the track length being 253 metres and different terrains. Although it comes from when men used to steal women from villages, now it is a humourous game. There are different races such as the Wife Carrying Senior and Wife Carrying Drink games.
These are the official rules:
- The length of the official track is 253.5 metres. Its surface is partially sand,
grass and asphalt.
- The track has two dry obstacles and one water obstacle,
about a meter deep.
- The wife to be carried may be your own, the neighbour’s or you may have
found her farther ahead; she must, however, be over 17 years of age.
- The minimum weight of the wife to be carried is 49 kilos.
If she weighs less, she will be burdened with a heavy rucksack to reach
the desired minimum weight.
- The winner is the couple who completes the course in the shortest time.
- If a contestant drops the wife, he has to lift her on to his back or in his arms
and continue carrying.
- The only equipment allowed is a belt worn by the carrier.
- The contestants run the race two at a time, so each heat is a contest in itself.
- Each contestant takes care of his/her safety and, if deemed necessary,
insurance.
- The contestants have to pay attention to the instructions given by the
organisers of the competition.
- The participation fee 50 € per a couple.
Mobile phones are very popular in Finland, and are known for repeatedly getting new ones when they're not needed, therefore before the old ones are recycled they can be used in this sport as way to vent out your frustration on the technology. There are two categories: Overthrow and Freestyle. This has been a sport since 2000, and the longest throw was 97,73 metres this year!
Berry Picking Championships
This is held in Suomussalmi during September. The competition is one hour long, and the individual to pick the most lingonberries during that time wins! The weight to beat so far is
27,98kg.
Kicksleds have been around for a 100 years and are a means of transportation on snow in Finland. Now there is a World Championship in Multia that everyone can partake in with several different races.
'AT SOME POINT IN TIME, THE FOLLOWING DISCIPLINES HAVE ALSO BEEN COMPETED IN:
• Mosquito Squashing – we’re sorry to inform you that living things might have been hurt during the competition.
• Milking Stool Throwing – this one baffles even us.
• Table Drumming – not just an annoying habit.
• Rubber Boot Throwing – this one has turned into an international sport.
• Sitting on an Ants’ Nest – when you’re out of things to throw.'
Finnwacky
This article says Finns have gotten a reputation for being 'Finnwacky' for their strange events they hold. Another event is the Sauna World Championships, where the contest is to see who can endure the highest temperature for the longest period of times.
Reddress
Reddress is an installation and performance. Finnish designer Aamu Song created the 500 metre wool dress, and a singer wears it while spectators sit in the pockets of the dress and watch the finnish folklore music show.
Restaurant Day
This Finnish event is held four times a year, when anyone can open up their own restaurant! Whether its in someone's home, garden, beach, work or your street, you can set up your own pop up restaurant anywhere. Originating in Finland, it is now celebrated in over 200 countries.
Restaurant Branding
Since Restaurant Day is a very popular event in Finland, I decided to research Restaurant Branding from that.
Here is some of the branding for a restaurant on a fishing float, serving European cuisine. The branding reflects that with the use of blue and nautical patterns.
This is an Italian restaurant, inspired by the post-war Hollywood era. This is reflected by the use of gold and black, typography and illustration which makes it very glamorous.
The design has a retro train theme going through all the design elements, such as the logo has a steam train illustration, there's a banner in the shape of a ticket, and vintage stamps for the different beers.
This is an American Burger restaurant located in Spain. The banana leaf illustration wallpaper and typography is inspired by 70s Miami which fits in with the food.
Here are some events that can be found on the Visit Finland website.
Turku at Christmas
Music Events
Here are a couple of music events that are celebrated in Finland. However, there are many more that exist during the Summer.
Nordic traditional sauna
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