The Gävle Goat

Every year, a giant straw goat is erected in Gävle, Sweden. The goat is a traditional Swedish Yule Goat figure, and it is meant to be a symbol of good luck and prosperity. However, the goat has been the subject of repeated arson attacks, and it has been burned to the ground most years since its first appearance in 1966. Despite security measures and a nearby fire station, the goat is always a target for those who want to see it burn. In 2018, a 27-year-old man was sentenced to a suspended sentence and day fines for aggravated property damage for burning the goat. The burning of the goat has become a tradition in Gävle, and it is seen by some as a way to bring good luck. Others see it as a senseless act of vandalism. But no matter how you look at it, the Gävle Goat is a unique and fascinating holiday tradition.