Aufguss Masters Blog

Origin 2026: Aufguss, emotions and connections!

From March 6 to 8, 2026, at the Hotel Bristol Buja in Abano Terme, a new edition of Origin took place. Three days that were not just an event, but a true journey into the heart of Aufguss.

Three days filled with warmth, fragrances, music and deep emotion. Three days in which the sauna was transformed into a stage where 24 Aufguss masters brought their own vision, their own story and their own way of interpreting their Aufguss rituals.

Each ritual was different: some moved the audience with elegance and delicacy, some amazed with energy and spectacle, and some told a story through the movements of the towel. But behind every performance, the same thing could be felt: authentic passion.

Origin continues to be something special.

It is not a competition in the traditional sense, but rather a competition without competition. A place where the true value lies in the exchange among enthusiasts, mutual growth, and the desire to improve together.

Between laughter during preparation, moments of discussion, and shared rituals, the atmosphere that makes Origin unique was created once again: a community that experiences Aufguss as art, discipline and a form of expression.

This year too, someone stepped onto the podium. Here are the top three winners of this edition:

• 🥇 Nicola Fabbianelli
• 🥈 Carmita Linares
• 🥉 Giovanni Manara

Audience award:

• 🏅 Giovanni Manara

You can find the full ranking in the slides.

A special thanks goes to our sponsors, who believed in the project and contributed to making this event possible:

• Sauna Che Passione is an organization dedicated to promoting sauna culture and wellness in the Euganean Thermal Baths through the organization of events and sensory experiences. Its events combine Aufguss rituals, steam bath scrubs, moments of relaxation in thermal waters, sound baths and meditation, offering guests complete and immersive wellness journeys designed to regenerate body and mind.
• Hotel Bristol Buja, located in the heart of Abano Terme, is a historic five-star hotel surrounded by a large private park and managed for generations by the Buja family. The property offers an elegant and welcoming environment, designed for those seeking relaxation, wellness and high-level hospitality.
• Aisa is committed to promoting and enhancing sauna and Aufguss culture, spreading its benefits for physical and mental well-being throughout the country. Through dedicated training programs, the association supports the professional growth of Aufgussmeisters, offering courses for those who wish to approach this profession and refresher paths for professionals already working in the sector.
• Bergila, founded in 1912, is a family-run company that for four generations has passionately cultivated the culture of natural wellness. Specializing in the production of essential oils and premium organic products, it combines tradition, respect for nature and careful craftsmanship to offer pure and authentic products dedicated to the well-being of body and mind.
• Aromen, a Belgian company founded in 2012, was born from the passion of two Aufgussmeisters for the world of sauna and aromatherapy. Specializing in natural essential oils and wellness products, the company develops solutions designed to enrich sauna rituals and sensory experiences. Through high-quality products and training programs, Aromen promotes a natural approach to well-being and contributes to the professional growth of the international Aufguss community.

Thanks also to the jury, who with attention, expertise and sensitivity evaluated the rituals presented during these days. Jury President Caterina Bazzanella, Lilia Garcia, Giada Cappelli, Piera Mazzoli and Olimpia Bogdan. 🙏 💖

But above all, thank you to the masters, the guests and all the people present, whose energy made this edition something truly memorable.

Because Origin is not just an event. It is a meeting of passions, cultures and different visions united by a single element: the warmth of the sauna and the magic of Aufguss. Because Origin is not just an event. It is a meeting of passions, cultures and different visions united by a single element: the warmth of the sauna and the magic of Aufguss.

See you at the next edition. 😍

Videos, photos and articles from the event will follow:

• Participants
• Jury
• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3