Oslo Badstuforening and the Floating Sauna Boom, with Ragna Marie Fjeld | Sauna Talk Episode 99

Today on Sauna Talk, we welcome Ragna Marie Fjeld, Secretary General of Oslo Badstuforening—the Oslo Sauna Association. Founded in 2016, Oslo Badstuforening began with a single sauna along the Oslo fjord. In just a few short years, it has grown into a remarkable network of floating and mobile saunas—now numbering well beyond its original footprint, and continuing to expand. In this episode, we take a closer look at what's behind that growth. Set along the harbor in Oslo, the association's saunas have become a central part of the city's public life. Their original sauna still operates today, surrounded by a fleet of floating saunas—each with its own character, yet all part of a larger, shared vision. What's striking is not just the scale, but the momentum. Saunas are frequently fully booked Interest from staff and volunteers continues to grow Architects and builders are eager to contribute The organization operates with a strong sense of purpose and collaboration Ragna shares insight into how this all comes together—from operations and culture to the mindset that allows for this kind of expansion without losing the spirit of sauna. We also touch on the broader context: how sauna is woven into Nordic life, and why Oslo has become a leading example of what's possible when community, location, and intention align. From the Oslo fjord, please welcome Ragna Marie Fjeld.