Discussing sauna experiences: Christian Grimm and Petri Koski have both been to the ice-hole
	- The Finnish way of chilling out - A Plunge into Finnish Mythology - Union of Finnish Film and Video Employees (SET) - Kaupinoja Sauna

Sauna and Salmon Soup Create a real Finnish Feeling

– I bet that you will go to the sauna, says Raina Haig with a broad grin to her assistant Alex Blake-Pink. The sight-impaired film director has come to Tampere to present her film 'Drive' at the Shooting Star Festival.

– It takes a million men to get me in an ice-hole, her helper claims. On Thursday evening the two Londoners have joined about 60 Finnish and foreign filmmakers for the Saunaparty of the Union of Finnish Film and Video Employees (SET).

Sauna Party Serves as a Possibility for Informal Discussions

– Most people did not have time to meet informally during the festival, says Olli Vesala, who is a board member of the SET.

– At this party filmmakers can meet, relax and discuss. Another purpose of the get-together is to introduce some old Finnish traditions. Sauna is only one of them. A Finnish buffet with Salmon soup, rye bread and Karelian pies is set up in the middle of the wood-panelled lounge. Groups of people flock around on wooden benches and tables. Main topic of the evening: Who is going to the ice-hole?

Sauna Beginners Should not Drink Too Much

Christian Grimm is already an old stager among the festival guests:

– This party is the nicest part of the film festival, that is why I am here for the third year, the programme designer of the Augsburg Film Festival says with a big grin. For sauna beginners and ice-hole swimmers the German has several hints:

– Do not drink too much and step on your towel right after coming out of the water.

	Brave enough. Raina Haig takes a dip in the ice-hole.

Moomins Create Familiarity with Finland

Carefully Miro Bilborough is climbing down the slippery stairs to the ice-hole and quickly dips into the dark water.

– Cold, but it is definitely helps to feel your body again after all the heady work at the festival, the film director from Sydney comments when coming out. The native New Zealander is in Tampere to present her film Bartleby at the New Australian Shorts screening.

–Somehow I felt close to Finland, because I grew up with the Moomins, the fair-haired woman explains.

–On the other hand seeing snow and frozen lakes was a totally new and great experience.

Who Won the Bet?

And how did the bet about going to the ice-hole turn out? Blake-Pink won.

–The sauna is too hot and the water is too cold, he resumes after several swims in the lake.

–But I can still imagine going back again.

	They made it both! Alexander Pink-Blake and Raina Haig study their sauna certificates and relax at the fireside after an exhausting adventure

TEXT: Isabel Hartmann
PHOTOS: Isabel Hartmann
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