A Holiday Arson Tradition in Sweden - The Gävle Goat

Let's close out 2024 with some festive... arson? Turns out that one holiday tradition in Sweden, the Gävle Goat or Gävlebocken has a dark and sinister history associated with the otherwise festive tradition. The Gävle Goat has been damaged or destroyed 42 out of 58 years. It's been hit by cars, beaten with clubs, and even subjected to an Alfred Hitchcock style bird massacre. However, the most popular way to dispatch the over 40 foot tall goat is arson. It's been roasted a record 38 times. As of the time of this recording, on Christmas Day, 2024, the Gävlebocken was still standing but in many years it's fallen prey to the flames of vandals on New Year's Eve so will it survive to see the dawning of 2025? Only time will tell. You can check to see if it's still standing at the official youtube livestream here: https://www.youtube.com/@gavlegoatlive

Background music by Not Notoriously Coordinated 

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Sources Used:

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