31/07/2026
What a weekend. What a community. What a privilege. 🌿🔥
Eleven years ago, I attended my very first Pirts Fest in Latvia. I never imagined that one day I would return not only as a sponsor of this beautiful event, but also as a judge for the Peeling Procedures at the Sauna Herbal Cup Baltics 2026.
It truly feels like coming home.
Seeing the herbal masters from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia was deeply inspiring. Their authenticity, their connection with nature, their knowledge of plants and their respect for tradition reminded me why I fell in love with Pirts all those years ago.
My favourite moment wasn’t the competition itself. It was the closing circle. Standing together, thanking one another for the passion, commitment and love everyone brought to this gathering. In that moment there were no competitors, only one community united by a shared purpose.
Yes, the Sauna Herbal Cup is a competition. But above all, it is a place where people come together to learn, inspire, heal and help one another grow. When one practitioner grows, the whole community grows.
Standing there, I couldn’t help thinking about the Baltic Way—the human chain that united Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia in 1989. It reminded me that we cannot change the past, but we can learn from it. If we want to build a better future, that journey begins within ourselves.
A heartfelt thank you to the Latvian Pirts Association, Aija Stefanova, Igors Stefanovs and Pavel for bringing this community together.
A special thank you to my Latvian teachers, Ilga Steinberga, Inese and Nauris Malnieki, and to all the Latvian pirtnieki and pirtnieces who shared their knowledge, passion and traditions.
Thank you, Biruta Ozoliņa, for taking me to Pokaiņi Forest after Pirts Fest. It was the perfect place to reconnect with nature and reflect.
I leave with a heart full of gratitude and even more motivation to continue sharing the spirit of Pirts with the world.
With love, light and steam. 🌿❤️♨️
— Benoit