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International Sauna Association (ISA)
The International Sauna Association (ISA) is an association of national and other sauna societies, organisations and private people. It was founded in 1958 with the office in Germany . After 20 years quite slow activities it was reborn in 1977 in Helsinki Finland and the office was agreed to be in Helsinki.
The founding members were Austria , Germany , Finland and Japan and they are continuously members. Besides those there are 20 other members including all the important sauna countries. The President has been all these years from Finland.
ISA and its members shall pursue the goal of publicizing the sauna and promoting its use on a global scale by rallying supporters of sauna activities in different countries.
This goal is served e.g. by acceptance of the Definition of Sauna recorded in Aachen , Germany 1999 as well as promoting the scientific studies of the sauna from e.g. such viewpoints as social history, folklore, medicine and technology. A particular emphasis is given to the collection and compilation in archives of the results of such scientific studies as well as other written material on sauna.
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Sauna aid
Sauna Aid is a multicountry initiative, sponsored by the International Sauna Association (ISA), to provide movable sauna facilities and supportive services to people facing natural and man-made disasters.
During the 2011 Fukushima tsunami and nuclear plant accident, ISA and the Japanese Sauna Society maintained a tent sauna for five weeks and used it for decontamination and cleaning of over a thousand locals.
Sauna Aid is now focused on the war in Ukraine. The sauna, or laznia/banya, as it is known among Ukrainians, is an important part of everyday life and provides a means of hygiene, stress relief, socialization, psychological comfort, and social identity. It is not considered a luxury, nor is it only about cleanliness. It is a social event that brings together the young and the old, the rich and the poor and promotes peace and a common sense of humanity. Ukrainians call the banya their “second mother”.
SAUNALETTER 1 2019
Dear ISA Members and other Saunalovers The first Saunaletter 2019 is mainly having interesting links about different sauna related matters and events in 2019. The new Board of Directors started it four year term 01.01.2019. Please note that ISA Board Meeting is...
SAUNALETTER-1 2020
Dear ISA Members and other saunalovers The New Sauna year has started with many activities. And that is naturally nice. We want to open in the future calendar which could show the different eventsorganised by the members as well as also other people/organisations...
SAUNALETTER 6 2019
Dear ISA members and other saunalovers Because there are so many things happening we make this extra Saunaletter in order to be able to distribute information to You. The company and member presntations we have been planning to this Saunaletter are published a littel...
NEWS
Dear ISA members and other saunalovers
"You’re warmly invited to the world’s hottest sauna event! Take a step into where Norwegian and global sauna culture meet, and join us for the online launch of the XIX International Sauna Congress, taking place in September 2026. The International Sauna...
70th DGfdB Congress in Stuttgart with International Session
Congress within the framework of interbad 2024 / Exciting modules under themotto "Smart and sustainable" The German Association for the Recreational and Medicinal Bath Industry (DGfdB)and Messe Stuttgart are delighted to announce the forthcoming DGfdB Congress2024,...
SANNA2024!
SANNA2024! An open saunas weekend in the District is coming again. On 19 and 20 October 2024, a variety of vigil saunas and sauna families will open their doors and hearts to coexist with saunas and rural charms. The sauna connects people, heals and opens up the sauna...
Regarding the sauna and the coronavirus
There is a lot of misleading information circulating on the subject of the sauna and the coronavirus. Here is a statement the International Sauna Association drafted. It has been reviewed by medical experts for accuracy.