Dear diary #02
The way my body learned to love Finland, Smoked Sauna Sisterhood and our Book Club.
Dear Diary is a monthly newsletter where I share personal notes about my adaptation in Finland, selected recommendations that bring me joy, and details on upcoming meet-ups.
I write for women adjusting to a new life in Finland and anyone looking for inspiration. Kindly let me know if this email resonated with you, and feel free to respond. It inspires me to keep going.
What you’ll find in this edition
Dear Diary — Today I’m sharing how taking care of my body has helped me tune in Finland, especially in the Winter.
Music, arts, and books — what I know about the Smoked Sauna Sisterhood documentary. I think we should watch it together.
Secret News — upcoming meet-ups, Book Club poll and details.
Paid subscriptions — now you can donate to the Secret Club by becoming a paid subscriber.
Dear Diary,
My parents left the city I was born in when I was five. Then, we left the second place when I was 11. When I turned 18, I left by myself. And then again, and again. Changing felt exciting, even though I missed people and places. Because of such experience, coming to Finland was supposed to be just one more on the list.
However, it broke my compass into pieces. My body felt confused. I had nightmares of someone breaking into our balcony. I would never live in such an unprotected building. "But it's Finland," I repeated. I'm afraid my body doesn't learn things that way.
I got ill many times. New sounds, flavors, colors, smells, weather — and no returning tickets. New vitamins were needed. Medicines and more medicines. New herbs, new tarot cards, new crystals. It's so different here. I got confused. What do I love to do? What do I want to do with my life? What brings me joy?
The new life popped up uninvited questions, but they had to wait. I couldn't ignore my body's discomfort. So, as if I were an unhappy and sick child, I cared for myself. Took me for walks and watched the snow. "Look! It's like glitter. Isn't it lovely?" I learned how to breathe in the cold along the way. I kept my body and soul warm in the sauna to endure the cold. One day, I was brave enough to dip in freezing water and ended up loving it. Although salmon soup seemed strange, I grew to like it. Other Finnish foods, too. You got to try my egg butter over a rice pie. It's delicious. Long-filtered coffee? Kauramaidolla, kiitos.
It took a while, though. Last year, I visited Ruka, one of the most stunning places I'd ever seen, and my body became feverish without an explanation. It probably got overwhelmed by the vastness of the white landscape. My partner ran to get me some medicines. After one Burana, some rest, and a cup of tea, I was ready to go to the sauna after dinner.
Now, three winters later, I understand safety is how my body feels. Although the previous changes brought me different scenarios, my safety was kept untouched. And safety does not mean security outside. That explains why untried advantages never soothed my fretful body.
“A place where you wash not only your body but also your soul.”
Deep connection with the body is celebrated in the Smoked Sauna Sisterhood, an Estonian documentary directed by Anna Hints. I haven’t watched it yet, but what Anna told Cinetopia in this interview made me realize how feeling our feelings with our bodies helps us validate them. A sauna is a sacred place where we heat our waters and let them sweat, flow, and heat us inside.
The documentary tells intimate women's stories as they get naked in body and soul in the sacred smoked sauna with a deep connection with each other. Produced and directed with vulnerability from both sides — production and the people whose stories are being told — Anna admits her insecurities and doesn’t try to escape but accepts and embraces them.
🍃Watch the trailer
I loved the trailer and how the director sang in gratitude when they won the Best European Documentary of 2023. My heart gets warmer every time I watch it. Anna also won the Best Director award for a documentary at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
Where to watch it
English subtitles 🇺🇸
Orion had a premiere on 8.12.2023, and it says they will have upcoming sessions in English to be announced soon. If you are in Tallinn, Kino Sõprus has sessions in English.
By the way, Orion has a list of films in English — quite useful.
Finnish subtitles 🇫🇮
Riviera has a single spot for tomorrow and another one for 23.01.
I hope to watch it soon and get inspired by the trust and sisterhood. I'll let you know when I get to know the dates for the exhibitions in Helsinki. It’s definitely a film to watch together and discuss over coffee or wine.
Only 3 spots left!
Do want to bring more creativity to the new year? So take the chance and join us in The Secret Club Wine & Paint! We will get together at Winemaria’s cozy tasting room.
Wine & Paint — 13 of January 2024 at 15:00
€45 🍷 🎨 Price includes the workshop and glass of wine or non-alcoholic beverage.
The bar will be open during the event.
No painting skills needed. Just bring your will to have fun!
Support the community
Now, you have the chance to support The Secret Club. Your contribution will fuel us to continue dedicating time and energy to keep going with the events & content creation. Important note: no information about events will be restricted. We're committed to keeping our community accessible to everyone. ✨🌸
Happy New Year!
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