On the origins of the Star Fairy
CBC looks into the history of the Star Fairy – la Fée des étoiles – as a figure in Quebec Christmas festivities. Maybe it’s because I’m an anglo, or because I don’t have kids, but I’d never heard of her. Anyone else?
-
Kate
Reply
EmilyG 13:04 on 2024-12-25 Permalink
I also hadn’t heard of the Star Fairy until CBC reported on it this year.
Jorgh 16:50 on 2024-12-25 Permalink
“Des fois ça m’tente d’aller la voir pis d’lui parler: fée des étoiles j’peux-tu avoir un autre hockey? J’ai perdu l’mien, beau sans-dessein, j’l’ai échangé pour des photos où on voit rien, d’une fille de dos qui se cache les fesses avec les mains” 23 décembre, Beau Dommage. Written/performed back almost 50 years ago. So yeah, she’s been around a while, and part of every Santa Claus parade in Québec since time immemorial…
GC 17:53 on 2024-12-25 Permalink
I was wondering if I’m just too Anglo also…
DavidH 18:15 on 2024-12-25 Permalink
She is also part of the Montreal Santa parade. This year the role went to an Olympian, last year to Farah Alibay.
Kate 19:27 on 2024-12-25 Permalink
I may have been brought to that parade when I was very small, but I don’t remember it. The only parade my family cared about was St Patrick’s.
dhomas 09:01 on 2024-12-26 Permalink
To be fair, I don’t think anyone in the history of humanity has ever called her “the Star Fairy”. I was pretty confused when I saw the article. Then I read that they were actually taking about La Fée des Étoiles and it all made sense. I went to French grade school, though. She’s not really a thing in the Anglophone community.
Kevin 09:23 on 2024-12-26 Permalink
I was aware of this character at parades and being Santa-adjacent, but unaware of any mythology regarding her. I just figured someone didn’t have an elf costume and so grabbed a dress and a tiara and proclaimed themselves as someone who had walked off the set of the Nutcracker.
thomas 01:58 on 2024-12-27 Permalink
I had not knowledge of the Fée des étoiles before reading this article (I am not native to Quebec). Conversely, I spoke of this to a Quebec native who was surprised that the Fée des étoiles is not a thing outside of Quebec.
Kate 11:28 on 2024-12-27 Permalink
Thank you for the sociological research, thomas!
EmilyG 16:48 on 2024-12-27 Permalink
I don’t know if this is another francophone Quebec tradition, but it was only this Christmas season that I learned that the tune (and some of the words) of the Battle Hymn of the Republic (Glory Glory Hallelujah) are used in a French-language Christmas song.
https://www.gospelquebec.com/la-plus-belle-nuit-du-monde.html
I guess it sounded unusual to me, as I’ve never thought of that tune being associated with Christmas.
EmilyG 16:50 on 2024-12-27 Permalink
Ah, I see now in the Battle Hymn’s Wikipedia page, it says “The melody is used in French Canadian Christmas carol called “Glory, Alleluia”, covered by Celine Dion and others.”