The Finnish sauna, seen from the outside, is an important part of the country's culture and a world-famous brand. For the Finns themselves, everything is simpler: the sauna is a way of life for them, no more and no less. Visiting her is as natural as talking or having lunch every day. The first baths appeared on the territory of Suomi 2000 years ago – rooms in caves with a hearth that heated stones. These prototypes of modern steam rooms occupied a special place in the life of ancient people. Even in the Karelian-Finnish epic “Kalevala” the importance of visiting the sauna is mentioned. The sauna was the most sacred and sterile place in the house – children were born there, old people left the world, religious ceremonies were held there. Inside it was impossible to make noise and behave inappropriately, all the more so – no violent fun and alcohol. Visiting the sauna for the Finn has always been a kind of ritual action.
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This tradition has survived to this day – the Finn It is impossible to imagine without a sauna.
In a small country with a population of 5.5 million people, there are more than 1.5 million saunas (some sources even talk about 3.5 million).
They are everywhere – in private homes, high-rise buildings, offices, hotels, public buildings, on ferries. And even if all the inhabitants of Finland went to take a steam bath at once, they would fit in these numerous steam rooms without any problems. In every Finnish apartment building 1960–70. buildings have at least two saunas. Residents pay a fixed amount per month, every week a place is reserved for them for 1-2 hours – at this time you can come to the sauna with friends or visit it with the whole family. Well, new houses are being built right away with small saunas in each apartment.
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Companies often rent premises with a steam room for corporate events so that they can relax in it after the official part. Sometimes business negotiations are held in the bath, although now this tradition is less common than two decades ago.
Public baths are also popular. Contrary to popular belief, women and men visit them on different days, and not at the same time. Finns often say, “If you are in a bad mood and the sauna didn’t help, nothing will help.” And they can also calmly apologize and leave the meeting, motivating their action by the fact that they are late for the sauna. This is considered a very good reason.
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