20Mars2022 Rundholz Parfums 2017

Sometime at the end of the 21st century:
Earth's natural resources have long been depleted, and climate change has made life there nearly impossible. A large part of humanity has now been living on Mars for several generations.

Today is, according to terrestrial calendar, the 24th of December. Even if none of the children there has ever seen a real fir tree, some inhabitants still maintain the Christian traditions for Christmas.

We are in a residential station on the southern hemisphere of the red planet. Some humans gathered in the day room, from the loudspeakers sound quietly old Weihnachtslieder from the past century. The tangy smell of roasting is in the air. Pepper, lovage, saffron and cinnamon give flavor to the retort meat from the petri dish. People eat together and tell each other stories about life on earth.

The huge screens on the walls show beautiful earthly winter landscapes, which almost make you forget the hostile environment outside the thick steel. From a laboratory, a scientific worker brings plants that thrive under the artificial light of UV lamps and are intended not only for consumption itself, but also for the general well-being and indoor climate. Their small, multicolored flowers look like tiny roses and lilies of the valley, mingling with the spices.

Open fire and smoke are prohibited for safety reasons, so there are no candles. The ventilation system allows to configure a discreet room scent on certain occasions. A descendant of a family from the Ore Mountains remembers his grandparents' hand-carved incense and he has the AI put together a mixture of resin, incense and other woods that fill the entire room.

One of the older residents says the smell reminds him of the old church he used to attend on Sundays as a child. A contemplative, almost wistful atmosphere takes hold of the adults. The children are waiting for their presents: toys from the 3D printer.