Smoke Sauna Sisterhood: Sexuality, Gender, and Society. A Cross-Cultural Analysis.

• In Event: Reimagining the Baltic Sea in Cultural Productions

Abstract

This paper is based on an analysis of Smoke Sauna Sisterhood, an award-winning documentary film about the Võro (Southern Estonian) smoke sauna tradition, listed by UNESCO as being of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. We explore the representation of gender and sexuality in the film and compare this with examples related to minority groups in Australia, including Indigenous Australians. The representation of First Nations Australians is currently of particular importance given the recent rejection of a referendum in Australia on granting First Australians constitutional recognition and a Voice to Parliament advisory committee. We discuss how sexuality and gender are represented in cultural (con)texts in Estonia and Australia also with reference to the broader societal and legal frameworks related to diversity, including the legalisation of same-sex marriage in both Estonia and Australia, and the challenges faced by both countries in managing diversity and inclusion. Finally, we consider implications for practice in educational and clinical psychology settings.

Short Bio

Dr Delaney Michael Skerrett:
Delaney holds a PhD in applied linguistics from The University of Queensland. His other qualifications include a Master of Arts in Baltic Studies from the University of Tartu and a Master of Professional Psychology from the Australian Catholic University. He is a registered psychologist as well the Honorary Consul of Estonia in Brisbane. He is currently studying medical anthropology at the Australian National University.

Nicole Põder:
Nicole is an Estonian-Australian educator with 20 + years in the field. She is a fervent advocate for diverse and inclusive educational settings and has a special interest in Estonian language and culture. Her cultural engagement underpins her pedagogical philosophy of reinforcing the importance of celebrating the unique backgrounds, identities, and abilities of all young adults.

Authors

• Delaney Michael Skerrett, Australian National University

• Nicole Põder, Education Queensland