Why a sauna academy?
What is well known is often unknown — precisely because it is so familiar. This is especially true of the sauna. Almost everyone knows the sauna, yet its history, tradition and meaning are surprisingly unknown. To make the unknown in well-known sauna culture known, shared and appreciated, there has been a sauna academy in Sweden since 1988.
The founding in 1988
Since our founding in 1988 we have received questions of every kind from curious people who want to know more about the magical steam. A common one is: why an academy to spread knowledge of sauna culture? When we, a few devoted sauna bathers, sat in the cultural sauna at the northernmost reach of the Torne River, the choice of the name “academy” was obvious.
Sweden today has 173 academies for knowledge, interests and ideas. One other well-known academy owes its existence to the Torne River: the Swedish Academy, with its motto “talent and taste”. When it was founded in the late 18th century, Gustav III decreed that its work be financed by the great income from the rich salmon fishing in the Torne River. To this day the river yields no less than 700 tonnes of salmon — a hundred times more than the famous Mörrum River in the south. This connection made the name The Swedish Sauna Academy logical and self-evident.
The four elements
There is a further reason for the name. The ancient Greeks were already devoted to cleanliness, the divine steam of the bath and culture in the widest sense. One of the most popular bathhouses — which also held gymnasiums, libraries, a concert hall and stages — was called Akademeia and stood in Athens. That was the second reason to spread sauna culture through an organisation named an academy.
Like much else, the sauna can be seen from many angles. Those who have not yet entered sauna culture may see only a small wooden room with unbearable heat. The philosophically inclined sauna lover sees a close and immediate meeting with the four elements: earth, fire, air and water.
Good sauna culture
The word hygiene is also of Greek origin. The daughter of Asclepius, the father of medicine, was named Hygieia and was known for her devoted bathing in the Akademeia gymnasium in Athens. One of the tasks of the more than 400 members and 20 member companies of the Swedish Sauna Academy is to spread knowledge of what is considered good sauna culture.
The academy's office is in Kukkolaforsen by the Torne River — with the rich fishing that once financed the Swedish Academy. The Greek philosopher Plato was a frequent guest at the Akademeia gymnasium and bathhouse, which is the origin of the word academy.
The academy's purpose
The purpose of the Swedish Sauna Academy is to care for Swedish sauna traditions and to promote, develop and spread knowledge of good sauna culture.
- Preserve old sauna traditions
- Develop modern saunas on the foundation of tradition and health
- Support research and development around the sauna
- Advise on the building and operation of saunas
- Assess and certify saunas
- Train sauna advisors for guidance and assessment
- Inform media, authorities, institutions and the public
- Contribute to the development of architecture, materials and accessories
- Pursue national and international cooperation
On the sauna
“A sauna bath is a wonderful cleansing, both physical and mental.”
“In a sauna there are only good thoughts.”
“The Christmas sauna is a highlight of life.”