Sauna from Finland has named Alan Jalasjaa as the new Sauna Ambassador. Jalasjaa has been a passionate advocate for the Authentic Finnish Sauna Experience.
Alan Jalasjaa’s Comments
“I am deeply honoured to have been selected for the role of Ambassador for Sauna from Finland.
As a Finnish-Canadian, I am immensely proud of my Finnish heritage. I was fortunate enough to have been introduced to sauna at a very young age by my Finnish grandparents, and quickly grew to love its many splendours. As the new ambassador, I will seek to carry on the outstanding work started by Carita Harju and the team from Sauna from Finland by representing them on the global stage, meeting with the world’s sauna enthusiasts and those that aspire to be one, and promoting the authentic Finnish sauna experience at every opportunity. I look forward to meeting people from all walks of life and sharing my personal experiences and knowledge of sauna so that they too can find their own life balance that includes a healthy sauna lifestyle.”- Alan Jalasjaa
World Sauna Forum 2024
Alan Jalasjaa received the Sauna Ambassador award at the World Sauna Forum 2024, where he was ceremoniously handed the ladle by his predecessor, Jake Newport, Founder and CEO of Finnmark Sauna. During the event, Jalasjaa was a panelist at the seminar and together with Titta Pervis hosted the Authentic Finnish Sauna Experience- workshop. This marks the third occasion that Sauna from Finland has bestowed the Sauna Ambassador honorary title to a non-Finn.
Previous Sauna Ambassadors
Previous Sauna from Finland Sauna Ambassadors include Jake Newport, Founder and CEO of Finnmark Sauna, Seth Ascetic, Manager and Founder of Taiwan Sauna Association, Karl Chi, sauna concept developer Ville Iivonen, Ruka tourism developer Marjo Määttä, Jyväskylä City Mayor Markku Andersson, Creative Industry Developer Diges managing director Pekka Krook, and shoe and clothing designer Aki Choklat.
About Alan Jalasjaa
Alan Jalasjaa, a sauna expert and co-host of Kivia, has had a lifelong love affair with sauna. Introduced to sauna at a very young age following Finnish tradition, he earned the nickname “saunapoika” or “sauna-boy.” Born to a Canadian mother and Finnish father, Alan grew up in Southern Ontario, where sharing his Finnish culture with his Canadian friends was always a point of pride.
Alan believes there is no right or wrong way to enjoy a sauna. For some, it is a place of solitude; for others, a place to gather and socialize. Whether alone or with a group, it is where the worries of the day evaporate. Alan shares his passion for sauna through his website, Kivia.ca, and his podcast, “Kivia: The Spirit of Sauna.“
Pictures by Juho Juuruspolvi.
