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By Pertti Olavi Jalasjaa

No one understands saunas better than the people of Finland. Even though the sauna was not invented in Finland, its importance to Finnish culture and society cannot be overstated. At last count, Finland was home to approximately 1.7 million saunas. That’s roughly one sauna for every three of Finland’s 5.1 million residents.

Not surprisingly, Finland is also home to the World Sauna Championships, an annual contest that has been dubbed “the world’s hottest summer event.” Each year, as many as 100 participants from around the globe compete to find out who can endure the heat of a 110-degree Celsius hot sauna the longest. During the contest, a half-liter of water is tossed onto the sauna stove every 30 seconds to increase the steaming effect.

Finnish participants have traditionally dominated the World Sauna Championships. Among the winning Finns have been Timo Kaukonen, who in 2003 withstood 16 minutes and 15 seconds in the intense heat without breaking any of the competition’s strict rules, and three-time men’s champion Leo Pusa, who, with a time of 11 minutes and 45 seconds, reclaimed the title from Kaukonen the following year. Natalia Tryfanava became the competition’s first non-Finnish champion when she captured the women’s title in 2003 after lasting 13 minutes in the heat. She won again in 2004.

Some of the people in Finland are critical of the World Sauna Championships, but that doesn’t mean they don’t adore their saunas. Consider the claim by the Finnish Sauna Society that “practically every Finn goes to the sauna about once a week, and, while on vacation in the summer cottage, many heat the sauna every day.” The motivating factors for the Finns’ steadfast devotion to sauna use are varied, but almost universally shared by the Finnish people is the belief that sauna baths benefit human health, hygiene and well being. For their power to improve cardiovascular health, relieve aches and pains, alleviate stress and cleanse skin, saunas have been repeatedly lauded by educated enthusiasts throughout Finland.

Recently, representatives of Finland’s agriculture ministry even cited the sauna as a way to prevent the spread of avian flu. Government officials urged Finnish travelers who were returning from areas seriously compromised by the deadly bird flu, such as southeastern Asia and Russia, to disinfect their clothing, footwear and luggage in a sauna. “This is a very efficient way of destroying the virus, which cannot survive high temperatures,” noted agriculture ministry expert Sirpa Kiviruusu. However, the agriculture ministry did emphasize the sauna disinfection would not guarantee total immunity from the deadly strain of the virus that began spreading to humans in 2003.

When North Americans think of Finland, their initial thoughts may center on Finlandia vodka or Nokia mobile phones. To most Finns, though, nothing better represents the fascinating culture of their beloved homeland than a hot, soothing sauna.