This is the Gävlebocken...now that I know that I can keep tabs on the Gävle Goat this Christmas.
He seems to have been the brain child of the Gävle town merchants to scare up Christmas season traffic. The first Gävle Goat (a giant version of the traditional Swedish goat of straw, yes, traditional goat of straw) was erected in 1966. Apparently, since then, the most exciting part of having a giant goat made of straw in your town square was waiting to see if it could make it through the holidays without being burnt up by the local hooligans. In the past 40 years, it has been torched 22 times.
I like the idea that Sweden has hooligans. Who knew?
This was the Gävlebocken
This year, they say they've got that baby doused in flame retardant chemicals, and are "very confidant" that he will make it through the season. We'll see about that...
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4 comments:
Can I have a Christmas goat?
Only if she is a real goat, and we get to keep her in the backyard (except for really cold nights).
Could she share Annie's bed when it's cold??
Yeah, right. That princess is vicious when it comes to her bed. She would have better luck with the cat.
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