The country’s centuries-old sauna culture also attracted international attention this week when it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Saunas have a long and unique history in Finland, where they are considered a sacred, meditative space for more than just relaxation. For Finns, the sauna is an integral part of everyday life, and it serves as a cleansing method for both body and mind.
The space was traditionally used for childbirth as well as for performing final rituals after death. Finland will also host the World Sauna Endurance Championship for 11 years until 2010 (the event was suspended due to the death of a competitor).
The newspapers also discussed Finland’s innovative use of wood, emphasizing the different ways in which the country has utilized the abundant material available.
Finland is home to more than half of Europe’s protected forests, and several industries – from textiles to technology – have used wood as a sustainable solution to replace plastic and reduce waste.
Numerous public buildings, such as schools, are built of wood, while 80 percent of detached houses in the country have a wooden frame.
The country also received praise for the use of regenerative agriculture for vodka production. The alcoholic beverage company Altia launched the Koskenkorva Vodka Climate Action application last month in cooperation with the Baltic Sea Action Group (BASG) and Finnish farmer Jari Eerola.
It is the first vodka made from cultivated barley. Regenerative agriculture is a rehabilitative and holistic approach to cultivation that focuses on soil health and regeneration while protecting biodiversity.
In other news, Finland and Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to prevent infections by improving internal hygiene standards.
The deal is part of the IHMEC (Internal Hygiene Solutions for the Middle East Construction Market) project, which encourages collaboration and information sharing between researchers and Finnish, Swedish, Estonian and Middle Eastern companies to prevent and control infections.
Santa’s team spreads joy to football fans
Santa’s official football club FC Santa has won the hearts of sports enthusiasts everywhere thanks to his positive message and Christmas-oriented values.
German football coach Ralf Wunderlich was recently in charge of a team he has described as “open-minded.” According to Wunderlich, FC Santa does not present any negativity that would otherwise be found in sports.
Snow and limited daylight make Lapland a particularly challenging place for football, and players often have to drive long distances. Nevertheless, the team stays happy and cheerful as they represent the spirit of Christmas and Santa Claus.
The original article was published by the BBC on 19.12.2020 and can be found here.
Finnish sauna culture was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List
The Finnish practice of relaxing in hot, steam rooms was added to the UN Office for Science and Culture’s World Heritage List last week.
A hundred years ago, the sauna has a significant cultural significance in the country and has been the subject of contemplation, social bonding and even political diplomacy for decades.
There are an estimated three million saunas in Finland. They are commonly found in homes, buildings, and public swimming pools. Changing the steam bath and ice water is a popular ritual in the winter. Finns often consider the sauna to be key to their health and well-being.
The original article was published by The Straits Times on December 18, 2020, and can be found here.
Finnish companies that use wood for sustainable solutions
Several Finnish companies have started using wood to reduce pollution and improve sustainability.
Finnish eco-design and materials company Woodio manufactures sinks and bathtubs from waterproof wood composite. Helsinki-based Sulapac aims to replace plastic by offering biodegradable wood-based alternatives to cosmetic packaging.
Other Finnish companies that use the material innovatively are Woodly, Paptic and Spinnova.
The original article was published by PR Newswire on 16.12.2020 and can be found here.
Finnish environmentally friendly vodka makes a splash
The Finnish state-owned company Altia, in cooperation with the southern Finnish farmer Jari Eerola and BSAG, has developed the world’s first vodka, which is made entirely from regeneratively grown barley.
Vodka is known as Koskenkorva Vodka Climate Action. The manufacturing process also produces a barley by-product that can be used as a liquid feed for pork. Vodka can be purchased early next year.
The original article was published by Feed Navigator on December 17, 2020 and can be found here.
Finland is signing a promotion of internal hygiene with Saudi Arabia
Al-Dawaa Medical Services Company, based in Saudi Arabia, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Turku and the University of Satakunta to facilitate data transfer partnerships and scientific support in infection prevention, in particular through the application of internal hygiene solutions.
The ceremony was held at the Finnish Embassy in Riyadh last week. The Ambassador of Finland in Riyadh Antti Rytövuori In addition, four Saudi researchers were honored on behalf of the universities for their achievements in infection prevention and public health safety.
The original article was published by Arab News on December 18, 2020, and can be found here.
Tahira Sequeira
Helsinki Times
Source: The Nordic Page