Finnish Sauna Society recognises the sauna diplomacy of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Press release 166/2011
13 June 2011

Finnish Sauna Society recognises the sauna diplomacy of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs

The sauna diplomacy practised by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland received this year's Löylynhenki Prize (Steam Spirit Prize) granted by the Finnish Sauna Society on Monday, 13 June, in honour of the Finnish Sauna Day.

Secretary of State Pertti Torstila of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs considers the award a fine recognition for the Ministry, coming as it does from the most expert source.

"The sauna is an inseparable element of Finnish diplomacy throughout the world. It is part of Finland's country brand and it has been utilised in both political and business decision-making for many decades. Nearly all Finnish embassies have saunas, where relations with local movers and shakers are cultivated. A sauna is one of the essentials of Finnish embassies."

"The sauna is an ideal place for forging friendship, making agreements and building peace. We recommend it to others, too," Torstila said.

Building Counsellor Ben Grass, chairman of the Finnish Sauna Society, said the Löylynhenki Prize is awarded to Finnish sauna diplomacy and Finnish diplomats for the exemplary way in which the Ministry for Foreign Affairs embodies the spirit of the prize. The award has been granted since 1988 for an act, an actor, or a phenomenon that fosters Finnish sauna culture.

"The prize is given for a deed, a person or an event promoting sauna culture. The recipient meets all these criteria. The sauna in Finnish diplomatic missions is a place for deeds and events, and Finnish diplomats are the people implementing them," Grass said.

He pointed out that the purpose of the Finnish Sauna Society is to sustain Finnish sauna culture, deepen knowledge about sauna bathing and highlight its importance.

"The Finnish Sauna Society has come to appreciate how the Ministry for Foreign Affairs wants to promote familiarity with the sauna in other countries. Through diplomacy, the Ministry has made a fundamental contribution to increasing awareness about the essence of being Finnish," Grass continued.

Last year the Löylynhenki Prize was granted to Miesten vuoro (Steam of Life), a film about the sauna culture of Finnish men. Additional information: Finnish Sauna Society Chairman Ben Grass, mobile tel. +358 400 601 501, Secretary of State Pertti Torstila, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5010, Finnish Sauna Society board member Timo Martikainen, mobile tel. +358 50 2852