Christmas straw goat in Gävle

This is the time of year that I look forward to. Is it the presents? The Christmas tree? The mince pies? No, it’s the huge straw goat that they build every year in Gävle, Sweden.

Gävlebocken in Sweden

This is a pic from one of their two webcams which they install so you can keep an eye on him. And you must, because every year someone tries to burn him down!

The goat is the largest Christmas goat in the world, and has been appearing in December in the town square in Gävle since 1967. His history is chequered. Last year he was burnt down on December 23rd, and strangely the webcams were attacked too so the arsonists were not caught on camera. I wonder what will happen this year.

The Gävle goat has a little brother too. Last night he was attacked and his chest was a little bit burnt, but he is ok. Here he is:

Little brother of the Gävle Christmas goat

You can follow the Christmas goat on twitter @gavlebocken and you can read his blog at http://merjuligavle.blogspot.com/

Update: 25th December 2010: Hurrah, the goat has made it to Christmas without being burned or hijacked by helicopter!! http://www.thelocal.se/31060/20101225/

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