Sweden's famous “Christmas goat” has set fire again... again
Reuters Yule Goat Sweden 2021
A giant straw Christmas goat in the Swedish city of Gävle, 200 miles northwest of Stockholm, was set on fire for the first time in five years on December 17, reviving a long tradition of locals trying to burn it illegally and authorities trying to burn it to stop it. Police said they arrested a man in his 40s who witnesses said behaved suspiciously before the fire in the early hours of the morning. Gävle's Christmas goat, or Julbocken in Swedish, is a 42-foot-tall statue made of wood and straw that was erected before Christmas every year. It has become famous throughout the country since it first settled in a city square as a marketing strategy in 1966.
It burned on New Year's Eve this year. Small Christmas goats made of straw are traditionally placed in Swedish homes during the holiday season. Its origin dates back to the ancient pagan festivities. Gävle's Christmas goat, which is included in the Guinness Book of Records, is not famous for its size, but for the often elaborate plans that have been devised to destroy it.
Authorities have hired guards over the years and have used video surveillance and large amounts of flame retardants throughout the day to protect the statue. However, it was burned or destroyed at least 35 times. Two attackers - one dressed as Santa Claus and the other as a gingerbread man - set it on fire in 2005 with fiery bows and arrows. The culprits were never caught. The Christmas goat was also hit by cars, set on fire by fireworks and simply smashed with snowshoes. The webcam was hacked and the local tourism administration says there was once a failed plan to hijack her by helicopter. British bookmakers have even offered bets on the likelihood that they will survive the holiday season. CNN-Wire™ and © 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia company. All rights reserved. Image of the Christmas goat provided by Pernilla Wahlman/TT news agency.
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