Koskrötn: The Conscripts of theValle dei Mòcheni

In the Mòcheni community, the transition to adulthood is a collective rite involving the entire valley

The Conscripts (Koskrötn) are the young people who will turn eighteen in the coming year.

Once linked to compulsory military service—a trial by fire of virility and courage—today this tradition survives as a rite of citizenship. Although its military purpose has faded, the essence of the rite of passage remains.

The Seasons of the Year and the Seasons of Life

The year as a conscript marks the moment of transition from adolescence to adulthood, bringing with it responsibilities toward the community and oneself.

The conscripts reach the "right age" not only for military service but also for marriage. Indeed, the conscript year is marked by opportunities to socialize with girls, dance, gather, talk, and court.

Some of these traditions, such as the Spàcada and serenades, are less common today. In other cases, girls can now participate alongside the boys in various festive occasions and are also entitled to wear the conscript's hat, the Krònz.

The entire year corresponds to a specific moment in life; these rituals allow the youth to integrate not only into the passing of the seasons but into the broader life cycle of the family and community. Throughout the year, there are moments that act as a passing of the torch from the previous year's conscripts to the new ones. It is the community that validates their ability to act as adults through contact with girls, serenades, dances, and a newfound status within the entire social group.

Autumn and Winter: The Preparation

November: Creating the Krònz. It all begins with the making of the ritual headgear. The Krònz hat is a complex artifact, often commissioned from local artisans or made with the help of godfathers. It is a symbol of prestige: decorated with beads, small mirrors, wildflowers, and the essential black grouse feather.
December: The Rite of the Voice. The conscripts begin rehearsals for the Canta de la Stela (Song of the Star). This is not just music; it is a devotional service. At Christmas, the official presentation in church marks their public debut. At the end of Vespers, the singing of "L’unico figlio dell’eterno Padre" (The Only Son of the Eternal Father) serves as a symbolic call to the entire community: the new protectors of tradition are ready.
December 31st: The Eve of Transition. In Palù, the first round of the Canta de la Stela begins. In Fierozzo, the conscripts' dinner is held—a moment of internal brotherhood. At this stage, the Krònz is not yet worn: the young people are still halfway between the old and the new.

The Krònz: The Conscripts' headgear

The Krònz is not merely an accessory, but a symbolic artifact embodying the pride and identity of the youth of the Fersina Valley. Constructing a Krònz is a traditional art requiring precision and about a month of manual labor. Historically, it was the godfather's duty to provide the hat for his godson.

The Base: A dark felt hat, upon the crown of which a rich decoration is fixed, usually positioned on the right side.
The Decorations: A mosaic of small, shiny, and colorful elements: colored glass beads and small mirror fragments to reflect light (symbolically warding off negative influences); dried flowers (which do not wither), gold or silver foil, and glass fibers. Each decoration is mounted on tiny, handmade wire springs that allow the ornaments to sway and "vibrate" with every step the conscript takes.
The Black Grouse Feather: The most precious and striking element. The curved tail of this rare mountain bird crowns the hat, symbolizing pride and courage. Since hunting the black grouse (a protected species) is now prohibited, the feathers are generally purchased.

January: Entering the adult world

New Year’s Day in Palù: After midnight, the incoming conscripts, joined by those from the previous year and their godfathers, sing serenades to the village girls. It is a moment of public courtship, though this custom is becoming increasingly rare.
The morning of January 1st is the "Big Day": the Krònz is worn for the first time along with the military draft scarf.
The Handover: Outside the church, a symbolic gesture of great respect takes place: the new conscripts give cigars to the "outgoing" ones, a passing of the baton that confirms their new status.
The Spàcada: A tradition of mutual social and emotional recognition. In the past (more rarely today), boys and girls exchanged handmade gifts (sweaters and blouses). Couples would appear arm-in-arm outside the church; the boy was then invited to lunch at the girl's home, a prelude to the afternoon dance.
Eve of the Epiphany and January 6th: The rite of serenades is repeated, and on these occasions, the youth receive gifts (often cigarettes or small sums of money). The Epiphany closes the festive cycle with the final round of the Stela and the song "Noi siamo i tre Re" (We are the Three Kings).
The Quest (La Questua): On January 6th, children join the procession to collect white bread for the souls of the deceased, emphasizing the link between the living (the conscripts) and the ancestors. Everything concludes with the Dinner of the Stèlari, where the new conscripts officially receive custody of the "Star," the symbol of their commitment for the year ahead.

The Carnival and the Conscripts

From the Epiphany to Shrove Tuesday, the valley enters the time of Carnival, the moment of peak freedom and social interaction.

Carnival Figures: The conscripts choose who among them will play the mythical characters: Il Bécio and la Bécia (the "Old Man" and "Old Woman"), representing the passage of time and fertility; and the Oertrogar, the egg-bearer who carries the kraks (the traditional basket used by Mòcheni peddlers of the past).
Visiting the Maso (Farmsteads): The procession is itinerant. Shrove Monday (Vressar mata) is dedicated to women; the young men visit the homes of "marriageable" girls, ordering cakes to be collected the following day. It is also a time for gathering stories and small scandals, which will later be playfully made public in the "Carnival Testament."
Shrove Tuesday: The climax of Carnival. Accompanied by musicians, the conscripts visit every group of houses. Here they perform ritual gestures such as sowing (scattering sawdust at the entrances), reading the Testaments, and the tossing of the pans—a noisy gesture to drive away winter and evil spirits.

Closing the Cycle: Easter

After the exuberance of Carnival, the conscript year reaches a moment of religious solemnity.

The Krònz is put away throughout the Lenten period, to be worn one last time during Easter Mass. This is the final consecration: the youth is now a man, ready to build his future within the Valley.