Finland has a unique culture that I think is strongly based on nature. There are four seasons in Finland: winter, spring, summer, and autumn. Every season is different and wonderful in its own way. The different seasons can be seen especially in nature and the amount of sunlight we have in a day. Snowy and cold winter, plants and trees coming to life in spring, swimming in warm lake water in summer, and leaves turning red and yellow are things that everyone should get to experience. Finns have their own hobbies for each season. In winter Finns ski and skate, in summer Finns bike and swim and in autumn Finns collect berries and pick mushrooms.
However, there is one thing Finns do all year round and that is taking a sauna. There is no holiday or celebration that would not be suitable for a sauna. In midsummer, Finns take a sauna which is called “juhannussauna”, and at Christmas Finns go to a Christmas sauna which is called “joulusauna” in Finnish. In recent years, more and more Finns have also become interested in swimming all year round. I think the sauna experience is even better when you can take a swim at the lake and then go back to the sauna. And then do it all over again, even in winter when there is only a hole in the ice and the water is freezing cold.
I think Finnish people also change depending on the season. Although it may be due to the fact that in winter the sun does not rise at all and in summer the sun shines around the clock. When it’s dark, Finns often spend time indoors between blankets in candlelight, but when spring blooms and summer arrives, Finns celebrate outside with various festivals and enjoy their holidays in summer cottages.
Winter. Photo by Viivi Räsänen
Spring. Photo by Viivi Räsänen
Summer. Photo by Viivi Räsänen
Autumn. Photo by Viivi Räsänen
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