Maraaz 
50 years of unofficial Christmas tradition: sculpture arson. The giant goat statue, which is set up in Gävle, Sweden every Christmas. Is burned or tried to be burned by vandals every year. This corner grab, which takes place every Christmas between the city and the vandals, has become the unofficial Christmas tradition of Gävle.
The Christmas goat statue (Gävlebocken). Which was set up in the city center during Christmas in Gävle, Sweden. Attracts visitors every year. However, the reason why this giant goat statue attracts visitors. Instead of the grandeur of the statue, people come to protect it from vandals or to watch it burn.
It was first decided in 1966 to place a giant statue of the Yule goat in Scandinavian Mythology in the city center. Although it is not known exactly when and why the idea of burning the statue arose. It created an informal tradition for 50 years. The statue’s Christmas fate is put to bet by Swedish and international bookmakers ahead of the Christmas season.
In the struggle between the city officials of Gävle and those who wanted to burn the statue, the statue arsonists won 35 times. The statue has safely gone through the Christmas period only 16 times. According to the information given by city officials, the fate of the statue attracts approximately 120 thousand viewers to its live broadcast every year. Authorities realize that the statue is famous for 50 years of attacks. But it is a beautiful symbol for the people of the city.
States that they will do their best to protect the statue. As it is an important source of income for workplaces.
Some interesting cremation attempts by the Gävle Goat since 1966;
Vehicle attack – 1976: A student hit the rear leg of the statue with his modified car, causing the statue to collapse.
1979: The statue burned before it was completed.
Soldiers protected – 1985: Although it was protected by both security guards and soldiers, it could not avoid being burned. The same year, he qualified for the Guiness Book of Records.
Webcam installed – 1996: A statue focused webcam installed for the first time and survived the Christmas season undamaged.
Burned during a blizzard – 1998: Arsonists succeeded in burning the statue under heavy blistering.
Burned by a confused tourist – 2001: The statue was burned on December 23, 2001 by an American tourist named Lawrence Jones. However, Jones, who watched the statue burn instead of fleeing after burning the statue, was detained by the incoming police. Although Jones told the police who arrived that he was deceived by his Swedish friends that burning the statue was a completely legal Swedish tradition, he was sentenced to 18 days in prison.
Burned by Santa Claus carrying a flaming arrow – 2005: On December 3, 2005, he was burned by a group of people disguised as Santa Claus and a cookie man, firing arrows.
Attempted to be stolen by helicopter – 2010: Two unidentified people offered a bribe of 50,000 kroner to the guard responsible for the security of the statue and tried to hijack the statue by helicopter, but they did not succeed.
Intensive security measures – 2017: A double fence was placed around the statue. Security cameras and webcams were installed for 24 hours. In addition to the security guards, another “secret” measure was taken. He had the Christmas season without incident.
Why goat?
In Scandinavia, it was believed that during the Christmas period, Santa Claus was traveling on goats’ back and distributing his gifts. The Yule goat is among the most popular Christmas decorations in Sweden.
If you are curious about the fate of the Gävle goat, you can follow it live via the link below.
https://www.visitgavle.se/sv/gavlebocken
