Swedish goats
Since 1966, in a Swedish town north of Stockholm, a giant straw goat has been erected every year to mark the festive season. The goats are usually burned down, some within hours of being erected. The BBC has published some of the stories.
Compare the 2005 and the 2006 texts.
2006
2006
Goat guarded from festive vandals
Arsonists who enjoy burning down a festive Swedish straw goat may have met their match this year.
In the 40 years since the tradition started, the giant goat of Gavle has often gone up in flames within days. But this year the 13-metre (43ft) high goat has a coat of flame-resistant chemicals, and the authorities are determined it will see in the New Year.
"No-one is going to get our goat this year," says a local spokeswoman with confidence. Those who remain concerned can reassure themselves of the goat's wellbeing by watching on the "goatcam".
Just 10 of the goats, which are built in the town's central square, have survived beyond Christmas since 1966. Some have been burnt down within hours of being erected during the first week of December.
Arsonists who enjoy burning down a festive Swedish straw goat may have met their match this year.
In the 40 years since the tradition started, the giant goat of Gavle has often gone up in flames within days. But this year the 13-metre (43ft) high goat has a coat of flame-resistant chemicals, and the authorities are determined it will see in the New Year.
"No-one is going to get our goat this year," says a local spokeswoman with confidence. Those who remain concerned can reassure themselves of the goat's wellbeing by watching on the "goatcam".
Just 10 of the goats, which are built in the town's central square, have survived beyond Christmas since 1966. Some have been burnt down within hours of being erected during the first week of December.
The culprits are seldom caught. However, a 51-year-old American tourist spent 18 days in jail after being convicted of setting it alight in December 2001.
It is not the first time authorities have put their faith in a flame-proof coating - a substance tried before washed off in the rain. This one is waterproof, says Gavle spokeswoman Anna Oestman, and while its hooves could still be singed, a full scale torching would now be "impossible".
Goats have a special place in Swedish tradition, and it was a goat which in earlier centuries delivered festive gifts before Santa Claus took over that role.
Read more here.
2005
Weird ritual of the burning goat
A giant straw goat erected every year in a Swedish town to mark the festive season has been burned down - again. Police in the town of Gavle said the 13-metre (43ft) high billy goat has been set on fire so often it has almost become a Christmas ritual.
It was the 22nd time it has gone up in smoke since the town, north of Stockholm, began the tradition in 1966.
Two men were seen running from the blaze, one of whom was disguised as Father Christmas, said police. Police spokeswoman Margareta Olander said officers received a call late Saturday evening to report the goat was on fire. "In just a couple of minutes only a sooty wooden skeleton remained," police spokeswoman Margareta Olander told Associated Press.
Several measures have been tried to protect the goat with varying degrees of success, including fire-proofing, security guards and a web camera. Just 10 of the goats, which are built in the town's central square, have survived beyond Christmas since 1966. Most have been burned, sometimes within hours of being built during the first week of December. The culprits are seldom caught. However, a 51-year-old American tourist spent 18 days in jail after being convicted of setting it alight in December 2001.
Several measures have been tried to protect the goat with varying degrees of success, including fire-proofing, security guards and a web camera. Just 10 of the goats, which are built in the town's central square, have survived beyond Christmas since 1966. Most have been burned, sometimes within hours of being built during the first week of December. The culprits are seldom caught. However, a 51-year-old American tourist spent 18 days in jail after being convicted of setting it alight in December 2001.
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