The ones who have already checked symposium outline might also have noticed that during two weeks in Finland IFSS participants will get introduced to Finnish sauna culture. Although word sauna appears only once in the outline I promise that you will see and feel sauna more than ever before in your life (Swedish and Danish participants excluded).
See that brown little building between the trees? Yep, that's sauna. (c) J-P Rantonen
Wikipedia article on sauna says that there are over 2 million saunas in Finland - an average of one per household. Wise and nerdy Wikipedia continues by telling that “taking a sauna begins by washing oneself up and then going to sit in the hot room, typically warmed to 80-110 degrees Celsius (170-230 degrees Fahrenheit), for some time. Water is thrown on the hot stones topping the kiuas, a special stove used to warm up the sauna. This produces steam, known as löyly, which increases the moisture and heat within the sauna”.
"I can feel it steaming in the air toniiight" (c) J-P Rantonen.
“Occasionally one uses leafy, fragrant boughs of silver birch called vihta in West Finland and vasta in East Finland to gently beat oneself. This has a relaxing effect on the muscles and also helps in calming the effects of mosquito bites. When the heat begins to feel uncomfortable it is customary to jump into a lake, sea, or a swimming pool, or to have a shower".
"In the winter rolling in the snow or even swimming in a hole cut in the ice, an avanto, is sometimes used as a substitute. Then one usually sits down in the dressing room or the porch of the sauna to enjoy a sausage, along with beer or soft drinks. After cooling one goes back to the hot room and begins the cycle again. The number and duration of cycles varies from person to person according to personal preference... Thorough washing will end the session of sauna”.
Now some of you must be wondering what the he** and might not be surprised if I continue that it’s more than common to bath naked – mmmm comfy!
Sauna - rolling in the snow - sauna - rolling in the snow - fresh! But what's with the hat? (c) J-P Rantonen-Jenni
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