01/14/2025

Michawenger
2 Reviews

Michawenger
1
Athleta Christi
Do you know the story of Athleta Christi? Pope Sixtus IV gave this title to Stephen the Great for conquering Moldavia and many other great conquests. Stephen the Great (or, as said, Athleta Christi—Champion of Christ) is known for his fight for Moldavian independence, which he eventually succeeded in. He fought numerous other wars which I will not mention here (but would make another great story) and was eventually named (mainly due to his win over the Ottomans) as the Champion of Christ, became a national hero, independence warrior in politics and religion and contributed in some of the most impressive religious buildings in the eastern world.
As soon as you lift the black packaging meant to protect the box, you will know why I told you about Athleta Christi. One feels the heaviness of Romaine culture while at the same time seeking out freedom. There is imperfection. There is a certain fragility. There is love. And yet something else. There is the power to conquer the world – mainly the day, one would expect. And then you make your way – after long astonished admiration, longing to get what Adi ale Van wants to say with this box – towards the beauty of the bottle. Fragile, imperfect, bearing the marks of struggle and war, yet beautiful in its clarity and shattered heart.
And the scent? Sandalwood and benzoin weave their way around flowers and vanilla. Hints of lavender occasionally emerge, with subtle notes of pine and mint appearing here and there. A trace of soap lingers. The rich tapestry of battle, war, religion and culture alternate. And yet it always retains a nobility: clean, soft and full of love.
This is just my interpretation of this work of art. Did Adi ale Van want to tell us about Athleta Christi? About war and heroism or even about religion? I don't know. But for him being an artist I hope he is fine with me taking turns now.
In the end, one has to admire the artistry and love poured into the box and the bottle. The scent itself is lovely, with good longevity (5-7 hours) it surprises with every sniff. But is the scent itself worth the money? Maybe not... the experience of an outstanding piece of art – for me, at least – is though.
As soon as you lift the black packaging meant to protect the box, you will know why I told you about Athleta Christi. One feels the heaviness of Romaine culture while at the same time seeking out freedom. There is imperfection. There is a certain fragility. There is love. And yet something else. There is the power to conquer the world – mainly the day, one would expect. And then you make your way – after long astonished admiration, longing to get what Adi ale Van wants to say with this box – towards the beauty of the bottle. Fragile, imperfect, bearing the marks of struggle and war, yet beautiful in its clarity and shattered heart.
And the scent? Sandalwood and benzoin weave their way around flowers and vanilla. Hints of lavender occasionally emerge, with subtle notes of pine and mint appearing here and there. A trace of soap lingers. The rich tapestry of battle, war, religion and culture alternate. And yet it always retains a nobility: clean, soft and full of love.
This is just my interpretation of this work of art. Did Adi ale Van want to tell us about Athleta Christi? About war and heroism or even about religion? I don't know. But for him being an artist I hope he is fine with me taking turns now.
In the end, one has to admire the artistry and love poured into the box and the bottle. The scent itself is lovely, with good longevity (5-7 hours) it surprises with every sniff. But is the scent itself worth the money? Maybe not... the experience of an outstanding piece of art – for me, at least – is though.