More than 70 events highlight the Finnish Sauna culture in Sauna Region Week

The Sauna Region Week is set to take place again this year, treating visitors to an exciting range of authentic sauna-related experiences. Locals and visitors will have the opportunity to test the finest Finnish sauna experiences at more than 70 events organized across Central Finland. The fourth annual Sauna Region Week will take place 29 June–7 July 2019.

As in previous years, the program will feature several exciting sauna destinations. In 2019, visitors will be able to choose from an herbal sauna, cellar sauna, smoke sauna, traditional sauna, peat sauna, chimney sauna, lakeside sauna or even a haiku sauna. During the event, you can also take part in a sauna marathon, try your hand at canoeing, complete the sauna trail and enjoy a sauna cruise. Some of the participating saunas will be open to the public as a one-off, while others will remain heated throughout the week.

“We are delighted that such a huge variety of events are being organized across Central Finland to mark this year’s Sauna Region Week. The sauna is not only a cherished part of Finland’s cultural heritage, this important tradition is also being constantly updated with new trends and influences, and scientific research is ongoing to identify the benefits to people’s health and well-being. The sauna is an essential part of everyday life in Finland, and the Sauna Region Week is an excellent way to spread the message about just how brilliant it is,” commented Päivi Heikkala, Lakeland – Jyväskylä Region Project Manager at Visit Jyväskylä.

Sauna Heating World Championship 2019 puts a spark into Sauna Region Week

The Sauna Heating World Championship 2019 tournament is set to take place as part of the Sauna Region Week. At the Heating Competition the competitors themselves do not enjoy a sauna. Instead, their challenge is to use their experience and skills to heat a sauna tent created by the world’s largest sauna tent manufacturer Savotta up to a set temperature. To help them in their task, each three-strong team will be given an axe, a Finnish puukko knife, matches and firewood. In the qualifying rounds of the competition, which has attracted international interest from as far away as Japan, the teams will be asked to heat the sauna tent to a temperature of 70–80 °C with the three fastest teams going through to the final.

“The first ever Sauna Heating Championship outside of Finland took place at the Pop’ Up Sauna Festival in Tokyo this April. It turns out that people in Japan absolutely adore the Finnish sauna! Up to 20 – 30 Japanese visitors are now booked to attend the World Championships in the summer, and the winning team from the Tokyo event are very excited to have a chance to compete here in Finland,” Heikkala adds.

The official World Championship event will be taking place at Spa Hotel Peurunka in Laukaa on 6 July. All three-person teams are eligible to enter the competition. The event is a fun and unique way to spend a summer day together with your friends or family.

“This year’s Sauna Heating World Championships will be run by Ext Ventures, who have a track record of delivering other hugely popular events in Laukaa. They have something big planned for this year – it’s going to be fun and entertaining and a great day out for everyone to enjoy. The competition is scheduled to take place during the day on Saturday. There will also be a Sauna Fair that will bring together specialist providers of sauna products and services, including SaunaPark, who will be showcasing a large selection of saunas and hot tubs on the shore of Lake Peurunkajärvi for visitors to explore,” said Tuomas Paloniemi, Lakeland – Jyväskylä Region Project Assistant at Visit Jyväskylä.

In 2015, Central Finland declared itself the Sauna Region of the world, and the Sauna Region Week was set up as an annual event to celebrate all things related to sauna. Last year’s Sauna Region Week attracted about 2,000 visitors from Australia, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Mexico, Estonia and Japan as well as Finland.

To view the full event program, please visit https://saunaregion.fi
To sign up to compete in the Sauna Heating World Championship, go to https://saunamm.fi/.

Sauna-related image bank: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xd4KtmH-bxET8c2SRphbOE3YZN3ZOsZ7?usp=sharing.
Please note that some of the images are under copyright, please credit the photographer as appropriate.

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