Incense Flash Tauerville 2015

In these days of self-isolation, I spend a lot of time with things that I would otherwise not have time for due to my work or social life. Among other things, writing statements and comments.

I actually only wanted to write a small statement about this fragrance, but the scent appealed to my thoughts and awakened memories.

The most important thing first: Fragrance smells like dry incense, somewhat smoky and becomes rather leathery in drydown. Shelf life is very good with me, Sillage medium to good.

As some of you may know, I am half Macedonian. My mother's family lives in the capital Skopje and I usually spend the Easter holidays there every year. Although Easter often does not fall on the same day, it is the best time for me to visit my family there. My mother always comes too, as her birthday is in April and she was bound to my brother's school holidays in the past. In summer it is too hot for her there and in winter my parents spend time with my father's family For me, Easter was also the best time for Skopje during my studies. In summer I always have to go to the sea, otherwise I go crazy. In winter I often visit my family on my father's side
My family in Skopje is big, hospitable and fun. Whenever I visit them, they try to spoil us as much as possible, although they actually have limited means. Whoever has family from the Balkans knows exactly what it's like: your grandmother cooks way too much, you eat as much as possible, because the food is also very good, but in the end she always accuses you of not having eaten enough. She then always takes it so personally. "You didn't like my food, why else would you not eat more?" But enough of that
Whatever is on the agenda, if we have the opportunity to catch the Orthodox Easter, is a visit to my favorite church. Next to Skopje is a mountain called Vodno. If you drive up it from the city, you can eventually turn quite high up and find a small church that is rather remote. We rather avoid the big city church, as it is much too crowded during the Easter time. The mass at Easter takes place at midnight and lasts quite long. This scent embodies this mass for me. The dry incense, which almost suffocates the room, much too little oxygen, because hundreds of candles are lit. The mass lasts for hours, older women faint and are brought in front of the church to catch their breath and then enter the mass again. Actually everything is a bit crazy, but still tradition and I wouldn't want it any other way.

The incense in this fragrance is very authentic. It reminds me one to one of the incense used in Orthodox churches, especially at Easter mass. The slightly smoky one fits perfectly. I know, for many people this is a repulsive smell, but for me it is a memory
It saddens me all the more that I cannot be with my family this year. The smell brings me a little closer to them. And yet an Easter with only two people is very sad for me, because otherwise I am used to big celebrations with the whole family.

I know that in this commentary I have described the fragrance to 10% and have let my heart run free to 90%, but you will forgive me for that.

I wish you all good health and all the best in these strange times. If you are of Christian faith, I also wish you a happy Easter!