On December 17, UNESCO has put the Finnish sauna culture in the list of the intangible heritage of the world.

According to television network France24, on December 17, UNESCO has put the Finnish sauna culture in the list of the intangible heritage of the world.

The sauna is a traditional Finnish institution that dates back hundreds of years. Not surprisingly, with a population of 5.5 million, Finland has 3 million saunas.

Finnish sauna culture is now in the list of the world intangible heritage

Finland has 3 million saunas. / ph: pexels

"Finnish sauna culture is an indispensable part of the life of most people in this country," according to UNESCO.

This culture "is not about simply bathing yourself. In a sauna, people clean their bodies and minds and feel a sense of peace from within," UNESCO said.

Saunas are common in Finnish homes, apartments, and in swimming pools. Bathroom temperature usually remains around 85 degrees Celsius.

Regular use of the sauna, alone or with others, is not only a routine but is also seen as a sacred ritual for the Finns.

For many Finns, the sauna is perceived as the place where life begins and ends. Since ancient times, rural Finnish women have often given birth in the sauna, the only place in the house with hot water and privacy. The sauna is also the place where the last rites are performed when one leaves the world.

Few people know that the term "sauna" originates from the Finnish language and is widely used around the world. The history of the word sauna was originally referring to hot stones thrown into a water bath to create hot steam.

With the advantage of the sauna tradition, the Finns often organize sauna competitions with the participation of many people from different countries. The sauna services also become an indispensable part of the tours to Finland.

Mr. Jarmo Lehtola, president of the Finnish Sauna Association (Saunaseura), affirmed: “There would be no Finland without a sauna. That's our DNA. If you want to understand Finland, you must first understand the sauna. If you do not experience a sauna, you have never been to Finland ”.