In the days of the Soviet Union, Christmas was not celebrated very much. New Year was made into an important time. Following the revolution in 1917, Christmas was banned as a religious holiday in 1929, and Christmas Trees were banned until 1935 when they turned into 'New Year' Trees! If people did want to celebrate Christmas, they had to do it in secret just in their families.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, people were free to celebrate Christmas again. But it's still a quieter and smaller holiday in Russia after the big New Year celebrations. The New Year is a big time for spending lots of money and eating and drinking. Christmas is much more religious and private.
New Year is also when 'Grandfather Frost' (known in Russian as 'Ded Moroz' or Дед Мороз) brings presents to children. He is always accompanied by his Grandaughter (Snegurochka). On New Year's eve children hold hands, make a circle around the Christmas tree and call for Snegurochka or Ded Moroz. When they appear the star and other lights on the Christmas tree light up! Ded Moroz carries a big magic staff. The traditional greeting for Happy New Year is 'S Novym Godom'.
Christmas in Russia is normally celebrated on January 7th (only a few Catholics might celebrate it on the 25th December). The date is different because the Russian Orthodox Church uses the old 'Julian' calendar for religious celebration days. The Orthodox Church also celebrates Advent. But it has fixed dates, starting on 28th November and going to the 6th of January, so it's 40 days long.
The official Christmas and New holidays in Russia last from December 31st to January 10th.
When the people of Russia were forced to stop celebrating a religious holiday, they found another reason to be thankful and celebrated that instead. This adaptive nature gave them comfort and something to look forward to and enjoy in the incredibly cold winter months.
"Adaptive Nature" is about how all things in nature have the capability to adapt if given the opportunity. Although the inspiration came from the adaptive actions of people, the song lyrics focus on a two-way mirror of sorts. On one side, you have a person staring into a mirror sorting through debris in their mind. On the other, the person within which presents itself as a post-apocalyptic world where nature is beginning to consume everything.
lyrics
Fallen the structures of men
Built of ambition and sin
Life has control once again
Once Again
The vines will grow and make way through the doubt,
Existing is no longer dormant,
You raise your head, while everyone's eyes are down
And yet here you are, eyes wide open
Ruins stand in place of hope
Scorched are the ants under scope
Nothing to grasp on to hold
To hold
Buildings hollow, of remorse
They Get consumed
By, life that grows beyond intended
With Depth assumed
Pavement cracks, as if it knows
It's Time To Step aside
Let through nature, adaptation
And Let it, and let it, let it rise
INTRODUCTION:
"Unto the Wolves" is an online Metal project with one goal in mind, to inspire tolerance and acceptance of all races, religious beliefs, and cultures.
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