Mócheno Cultural Institute

The Valle dei Mocheni/Bernstol

The linguistic and cultural island of Germanic origin

The Kulturinstitut Bernstol was established to "protect and promote the culture of the Germanic populations of the Municipalities of Palù del Fersina, Fierozzo and Frassilongo" in the upper Valle del Fersina. It has the aim of protecting and promoting the ethnographic and cultural heritage of this area particularly with regard to the linguistic expressions. Today linguists agree that the medium-high Bavarian origin of this language following the settlement in the Upper Valle del Fèrsina, starting from 1200, of some colonials from those areas. Alongside the language, the Mócheno community preserves a series of rites which underline the most important moments of man's life and the succession of seasons. At Christmastime, during several evenings appointed by tradition, in the villages of Palù and Fierozzo the rite of the Star takes place. Groups of male singers - who bear a huge Star affixed to the top of a long pole by a pin - sing the traditional epiphanic songs at each house. The group is spontaneous and one person collects the offerings for the celebration of Holy Masses of intercession for the souls of the deceased of the village or for the Church's needs.