During the month of December, we will present different traditions concerning Christmas from different parts of the world. Today we will talk about the Yule Goat, or Gävlebocken, a tradition from Sweden.
The Gävlebocken, the Christmas goat of the Swedish city of Gävle, has been built every December since 1966 in Slottstorget, the castle square, and is more than 10 metres high.
Over the years, the Gävlebocken has often been the victim of pranks by vandals who damage or burn it, so the city has taken steps to protect it in various ways, including spraying it with water so that it freezes and is harder to burn.
This goat is a giant version of the traditional straw goat popular in Nordic countries and used as a Christmas decoration.
The origin of this goat dates back to the earliest pagan festivals, in particular the Yule festival, which takes place at the same time as Christmas. Legend has it that Thor, son of the god Odin, flew in a chariot pulled by two goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr.
