Lithuanian Bath Academy
The tradition of going to Pirtis (Lithuanian sauna) which has been common throughout the territory of Lithuania since ancient times, was in danger of extinction at the time of Lithuania’s Restoration of Independence in 1990. Its recovery and expansion were largely determined by bath master courses, which were started 20 years ago by the Lithuanian Bath Academy Lietuviškos pirties akademija, and various social initiatives carried out by traditional Pirtis enthusiasts. In a relatively short time, the number of formal and informal traditional bath communities has increased, popularizing family, communal, ceremonial, festive and other bathing, and the construction of Pirtis suitable for such bathing has begun rapidly. The role of the bath master Pirtininkas has changed and grown; now he is not only a furnace stoker and supervisor, but also a person who knows how to prepare the bath accessories, perform traditional bath rituals, take care of the safety of bathers, share his knowledge, and involve new people in this activity.
The theoretical and practical trainings organized by the Lithuanian Bath Academy gave impetus to the study of the tradition, the creative growth of its practitioners, and the transmission of the tradition in communities. The activity of the Academy has developed from a dozen educational seminars per year to an interdisciplinary non-formal education system, offering training of various types and levels – from introductory seminars, to “Family Bath Master” training for those who want to practice the tradition within the family circle, to a “Professional Bath Master” course, the completion of which requires passing theory and practice exams.
Those seeking professionalism are introduced to the history, culture, and traditional ethics of the bath, are taught how to conduct individual and group bathing, manage the construction of baths and the sweat bath microclimate, and prepare and use plants and other natural sauna implements. The traditional Lithuanian Pirtis ethics is observed, showing respect for the human body, furnace, water, and plants. To ensure continuity, the Lithuanian Bath Academy has created a course information system and a database which enables the publication of relevant information about bath related activities and existing baths or their services, tracking bath evaluations, as well as checking students’ knowledge and monitoring their progress. About 5,000 students have studied at the Lithuanian Bath Academy, and several dozen professional bath masters have been trained. They contribute to the continuation and development of the bath tradition with their own educational and practical activities, as well as those of the newly founded communities. People from all over the world come to Lithuania to learn the secrets of the Lithuanian Pirtis. The Lithuanian Bath Academy is the initiator of whisking championships, organizer of international events and bath culture conferences in Lithuania. It is a member of the International Sauna Association (ISA) and organizes Lithuanian bath training in various European countries, Japan, and USA.
Submission by Lithuanian Bath Academy