The two straw goats of Gavle, Sweden’s most endangered Christmas decorations, have gone up in flames after surviving nearly a month on a downtown squareCOPENHAGEN, Denmark -- The two straw goats of Gavle, Sweden's most endangered Christmas decorations, have gone up in flames after surviving nearly a month on a downtown square. The animals are a beloved Swedish Christmas symbol, dating back to pagan times. Since Gavle's first straw goat — 13 meters (43 feet) tall and weighing three tons — was erected in 1966, the annual decoration has been burnt or smashed dozens of times, once before it was even finished. The last time arsonists struck was in 2016, but a record four-year period of peace was shattered Friday. The goat is an ancient Scandinavian Yuletide symbol that preceded Santa Claus as the bringer of gifts.

Source: ABC News December 17, 2021 22:36 UTC