Swedish Xmas Symbol Vandalized - Now with Webcam!

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Something tells me that publicizing this in the media and web just made it open season on this poor goat.

For 40 years it has been torched, vandalized, had its legs cut off and even been run over by a car.But officials in the Swedish city of Gavle are guaranteeing that this year's giant straw Christmas goat - the victim of Sweden's most violent yule tradition - will survive unscathed.

The 13-metre-high goat - a centuries-old yule symbol that predates Santa Claus as the bringer of gifts to Swedish homes - has been burned down 22 times since it was first set up in Gavle's square on Dec. 3, 1966.

The 2005 vandals - who witnesses said were dressed up as Santa Claus and the Gingerbread Man - remain at large. The pair fired flaming arrows at the goat, reducing it to its steel skeleton.

http://www.cbc.ca/cp/Oddities/061203/K120302AU.html



And here's the web cam.... http://www.merjuligavle.se/merjuliga...ken.aspx?id=52


This must be what Swedes do in place of the Fireplace Log channel...I give this goat...oh... a week.

[Frank the Tank]

The fact that they dress up to go vandalize something just cracked me up. Thats awesome!

[Kerplunk]

Look at that thing! It's just asking to be torched!