La Stéla — Mòchena Star Singing

An Epiphany rite that stands the test of time

La Stéla, or the Star Singing, is one of the most defining rituals of the Mòcheni Valley (Bersntol), a small German-speaking linguistic enclave nestled along the Fersina stream, just a few kilometers from Trento. Today, this tradition remains active in only two villages in the valley: Palù del Fersina and Fierozzo. In the municipality of Palù del Fersina, located in the Trentino-Alto Adige region, this rite has marked the passage from the old year to the new for centuries.

The star from house to house

The heart of the celebration is a large, five- or six-pointed comet star, colorful and internally illuminated, mounted on a long pole so it can rotate as it is carried through the village streets. The singers, known as stelàri, travel from home to home, stopping to perform traditional songs and offer families wishes for peace, prosperity, and a happy new year. Along the route, in front of churches, shrines, and crosses, the famous Puer natus in Bethlehem resonates through the air.

The repertoire and the language

In Palù del Fersina, the repertoire includes seven songs (six in Italian and one in Latin), while in Fierozzo, three are performed. The lyrics, passed down orally alongside the Mòcheno language, evoke the announcement of Jesus' birth and the adoration of the Magi. A designated person collects offerings from families, traditionally intended for masses in suffrage of the deceased: a gesture that weaves together song, faith, and communal memory.

The conscripts and generational transition

The protagonists of the rite are the conscripts—young people of the same age group who decorate the star, carry it along the route, and lead the group of singers. Carrying the Stéla represents a true rite of passage from adolescence to adulthood and an official entry into the village's social life. Older singers accompany and instruct the younger ones, ensuring the transmission of the tradition from generation to generation.

The traditional evenings

In Palù del Fersina, the Stéla takes place over three evenings: New Year's Eve (December 31), New Year's Day (January 1), and the Eve of the Epiphany (January 6). The village is divided in two, allowing the singers to reach every district on different nights so that every family receives a visit from the star. The community eagerly awaits the arrival of the singers: a moment of reflection where memories and nostalgia for the past year resurface.

Historical roots

The current form of the rite was consolidated in the 16th century during the Catholic Counter-Reformation promoted by the Council of Trent to counter the influence of the Protestant Reformation. Since then, the Star Singing has remained an intangible heritage that testifies to the cultural continuity of the Mòcheno community, protected and promoted by the Mòcheno Cultural Institute.