A video posted on TikTok by the Cuban content creator Ariel Reinaldo showcases the moment when several Cubans dive into a frozen lake in Finland for the first time, eliciting reactions that quickly sparked laughter on social media.
The 48-second clip captures the experience of the so-called avanto or avantouinti, a Finnish tradition that involves plunging into icy waters —close to 0°C— after a session of sauna, which can reach temperatures between 60 and 100°C, and has been practiced in the Nordic country since at least the 17th century.
The phrase that stole the show in the video was from Ariel Reinaldo as he entered the water: "Cubans entering the frozen lake in Finland for the first time. He hid me. Change!"
Seconds later, the reaction was immediate: "I'm going outside to flip out", a phrase that summed up what many viewers felt just by seeing the images.
It is not the first time that Cubans abroad have gone viral while facing extreme cold. The Cuban women in Spain starred in a viral video reacting to snow, and a Cuban in Canada became famous for diving into the snow, demonstrating that the culture shock of low temperatures always generates memorable reactions.
According to data from the official portal of Finland, 150,000 Finns regularly practice winter swimming, considering it a healthy habit that enhances circulation and mental well-being. For the Cubans in the video, however, the experience seemed to result in just a single immersion.
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