Finnish sauna culture is included in the UNESCO list of intangible heritage, the aim of which is to raise awareness and protect the importance of important aspects of cultural heritage worldwide.
UNESCO cites oral traditions, performing arts, local knowledge, and traditional skills as examples of intangible cultural heritage and past encouragers include Indian yoga, Brazilian capoeira, Belgian beer culture, and Neapolitan pizza.
The sauna tradition is the first part of Finnish culture that is on the list.
Inside something Press release UNESCO wrote about the importance of the sauna in Finnish culture.
"Traditionally, the sauna has been considered a sacred space – the “Church of Nature”. The core of the experience is steam, spirit or steam released by throwing water on a stack of heated stones," The UN body said in a statement.
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As UNESCO points out, the sauna is "easily accessible to all" There are an estimated 3.2 million saunas in Finland with a population of 5.5 million, and they come in all sizes, shapes and forms: from electricity to wood heating and from smoke to infrared.
In addition to the reputation and honor brought by the article, Finland is also responsible for protecting the sauna cultural tradition in the future.
Cultural significance
The importance of the sauna in Finnish culture is difficult to overestimate. Bare stripping and sweating not only means cleaning, for most Finns it also reflects the state of mind.
The sauna has always been a place to swim, cleanse and stay healthy. For centuries, it was also a sacred space. In the past, it was a place where people were born and the bodies of the dead were washed.
"The sauna is a big part of Finnish tradition, culture, history, what it means to be Finnish. We Finns live, breathe, sleep, eat and sauna," Leena Marsio according to the ancient board.
Traditionally, Saturday was a sauna day, but today Finns go to the sauna any day of the week – a total of about 200 million times a year.
In 2018, Time Magazine compiled the first ever list of the world’s largest places, and Helsinki’s Finnish Löyly Sauna was rated.
Source: The Nordic Page