Gävlebocken! It's time!!!!!!
What are the chances? Since 1966 only 16 goats have survived completely intact. More often than not, the goat has been set on fire—lately by increasingly nefarious and/or ridiculous means. It has also been tipped over, hit by cars, kicked to pieces, stolen, etc.
What constitutes success? It has to make it from today until January 2nd (the first weekday after New Year).
My stance on the goat: Technically, I'm firmly pro-goat. I like to root for the underdog. I also once watched a documentary (Christmas Begins in Gävle) about the ten guys who build this thing every year and I'm a sucker for a sob story. On the other hand...you can't make this stuff up!
Last year's goat: Eaten by jackdaws! The straw used to construct the goat contained an unusually high percentage of seeds which attracted the birds. The goat was consumed at an alarming rate.
The Fate of the Goat Year-by-Year:
Laconic "We Do Not Glorify Goat Violence" Swedish Version
Detailed Everything That Could Ever Possibly Go Wrong with a Goat Wiki Version
This year's predictions:
According to the official Gävlebocken FAQ:
Question: Does the straw harvest look more promising than last year? Answer: Yes, the straw harvest looks good this year! Question: What other potential measures do you have to prevent the birds from eating the goat? Answer: Given that the straw looks good this year with long stems, good quality, and no seeds (as far as we know), we hope that any bird visits won't cause as much damage this year. Question: Already last year, bird experts stated in the media that the jackdaws would likely return. Have you consulted bird experts in preparation for the upcoming season? Answer: "We know the straw is of better quality this year. If the jackdaws return, we will monitor the situation and address it accordingly."
