JCC The real GOAT of 2022 is now up. Gävlebocken is upon us.

I have been reminded that the GOAT is up ad its now time to call for the burning of the straw beast

After a reasonably stable 2022…

Actually no, after a year of increasing costs, Ukraine being invaded and a World Cup being held at the wrong time of year in a place which in all honesty needs to go sit in the corner and have a long hard think about what it should be doing we can look to close out the year with some semblance of stability by the sensible Sweden.

Webcam is live for anyone interested

Yes its back and is up

diggy’s passion for this Yuletide will continue (provided I remember/am reminded/be arsed)

"Sadder" Times for the Gävle Goat

History of the Goat

In 1967 the goat was left unmolested.

In 1968 the goat was again left unmolested.

In 1969 the goat was burned on New Year's Eve.

In 1970 the first goat burned six hours after it was erected. Two heavily intoxicated youths were tied to the crime. With contributions from several donors, the goat was rebuilt, this time of reeds.

In 1971 the local merchants who had previously built the goat abandoned the project, tired of seeing it burn each year. The science association at the Vasaskolan upper secondary school took over. Their little goat was broken to pieces.

In 1972 the goat collapsed due to sabotage.

In 1973 the goat's fate is unknown.

In 1974 the goat burned down.

In 1975 the goat's fate is unknown.

In 1976 a car crashed into the goat.

In 1977 the goat's fate is unknown.

In 1978 the goat was broken to pieces again.

In 1979 the goat was burned before it was even put together. A new one was built and treated with fire-proofing, but was later sabotaged and broken to pieces.

In 1980 the goat burned down on Christmas Eve.

In 1981 the goat was spared.

In 1982 the goat burned down on St. Lucia Day, 13 December.

In 1983 the goat's legs were broken off.

In 1984 the goat burned down on St. Lucia Eve.

In 1985 the 12.5-metre high goat first made the Guinness Book of World Records. Burned down in January.

In 1986 the local merchants took over building the goat again. From this date on, two goats are built each year, one by the merchants and one by Vasaskolan. The big goat was burned down the night before Christmas Eve.

In 1987 the goat was carefully treated with fire-proofing. It still burned down the week before Christmas.

In 1988 the goat was spared. Its survival was now included on British betting lists.

In 1989 the goat burned down before it was even built. A public collection was taken up and a new goat was built, which burned down in January. In March 1990 another goat was built for the premiere of the film "Black Jack".

In 1990 the goat was spared. Many volunteers guarded it.

In 1991 the goat was accompanied by an advertising sleigh - which turned out to be an unauthorised construction. It burned on Christmas Eve morning. It was rebuilt to be sent to Stockholm in a campaign to stop the closing of the I 14 regiment.

In 1992 the goat burned after eight days. The Vasaskolan goat burned the same night. It was built again, but burned again on 20 December. The starter of all three fires was arrested.

In 1993 the Vasaskolan goat made the Guinness Book of World Records, measuring 16 metres high. It was spared this year.

In 1994 the goat was spared.

In 1995 the goat burned down on Christmas Day morning. It was rebuilt for the town's 550th anniversary.

In 1996 the goat survived. For the first time it was monitored by a web camera.

In 1997 the goat survived with minimal damage by fireworks.

In 1998 the goat burned on 11 December, despite a snowstorm. It was built again.

In 1999 the goat burned a few hours after being built. A new one was in place for St. Lucia Day.

In 2000 the goat burned a few days before New Year's.

In 2001 the goat burned on 23 December. The starter of the fire, a 51-year-old man from USA, was arrested.

In 2002 the goat survived.

In 2003 the goat burned down two nights before St. Lucia Eve. A new goat was in place about a week later and it survived in one piece.

In 2004 the goat burned down on 21 December, three days before Christmas. The goat was not rebuilt.

In 2005 the goat burned down on 3 December. A new goat was in place on 8 december and managed to survive.

In 2006 the goat survived a pyromaniac attack on December 15th. It was minor burned on its right leg. After that the goat survived in one piece.

In 2007 The goat was impregnated with flame retardant chemicals and was not attacked by arsonists.

In 2008 was the goat not impregnated with flame retardant chemicals. The straw was delivered by Mackmyra Whiskey and the goat was burned down on 27 December.

In 2009 A person attempted to set the Southern Merchants' goat on fire the night of 7 December. An unsuccessful attempt was made to throw the Natural Science Club's goat into the river the weekend of 11 December. The culprit then tried, again without success, to set the goat on fire. Someone stole the Natural Science Club's goat using a truck on the night of 14 December. On the night of 23 December before 04:00 the South Merchant goat was set on fire and was burned to the frame, even though it had a thick layer of snow on its back. The goat had two online webcams which were put out of service by a DoS attack, instigated by computer hackers just before the burning.

In 2010 On the night of 2 December, arsonists made an unsuccessful attempt to burn the Natural Science Club's goat.On 17 December, a Swedish news site reported that one of the guards tasked with protecting the Southern Merchants' goat had been offered payment to leave his post so that the goat could be stolen via helicopter and transported to Stockholm. Both goats survived and were dismantled and returned to storage in early January 2011.

In 2011 The inauguration of the goat took place on 27 November. The fire-fighters of Gävle sprayed the goat with water to create a coating of ice in the hope of protecting it from arson. However mild weather melted the ice and the goat was burnt down in the early morning of 2 December.

In 2012 The inauguration of the goat took place on 2 December. It was burnt just ten days later in the hours before midnight of 12 December, one day before Lucia.


Knaves commemorating their evil-doing.

In 2013 As in 2006 and 2007, the straw used to build the goat has been soaked in anti-flammable liquid to prevent it from burning in the event of an arson attack. The inauguration ceremony took place on 1 December. On 21 December the goat was burned down.

In 2014 At least three attempts of arson were made, but the goat survived, and was dismantled on 29 December. It was sent to China, where it featured in the Year of the Goat celebrations in February 2015.

In 2015 the goat was erected on 26 November. The inauguration ceremoney was on 29 November. The goat was burned to the ground on 27 December.

In 2016 the goat burned down on November 27, hours after it’s 50th birthday party.

In 2017 the goat survived.

In 2018 The Gävlebocken twitter account recorded two incidents: an unspecified 'harassment' on 7 December, and an intrusion into the goat's enclosure on 31 December, from someone claiming to need to use the toilet.

I'm not down with using a Goat's enclosure as a toilet, but do not take this as kink shaming.

In 2019 the goat survived. This is for the first time it has survived three years in a row.

In 2020 even during covid or perhaps because of covid, the goat survived again. 4 years in a row.

In 2021 we had a victor in Darth Smurf as there was indeed a burning
The Natural Science Club goat was burned in the early hours of 12 December. This was not a winning attempt but a portent of things to come
During the same weekend, a drunk person was caught trying to jump the fences around the larger goat.
The larger goat burned in the early hours of 17 December. A 40-year-old man was arrested and later sentenced to six months in prison and ordered to pay SEK 109,000 in damages to the municipality.

Our straw saviour is now up and about

Stay vigilant!


As always this thread is for people to report any suspicious activity or even better someone may actually be lucky enough to witness history in the making when the goat is either beaten to death or set on fire.
Honest!

And should the worst happen, the thing all none of us wants, we may as well have a winner. So pick your date.
November
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The Goat Lives (without attack)
The Goat survives attack with minor burns
The Goat is destroyed by means other than fire or stolen
The Goat survives an attack that doesn't include fire.


STAY VIGILANTE

2015 edition: http://boards.theforce.net/threads/gävle-goat-watch-2015.50034605/
2016 edition: http://boards.theforce.net/threads/gävle-goat-watch-2016.50042674/
2017 edition: https://boards.theforce.net/threads/gavle-goat-watch-2017.50046861/
2018 edition: https://boards.theforce.net/threads/gävle-goat-watch-2018.50050516/
2019 edition: https://boards.theforce.net/threads/gavle-goat-watch-2019.50052445
2020 edition:https://boards.theforce.net/threads/gävle-goat-watch-2020.50055031/
2021 edition: https://boards.theforce.net/threads/gävle-goat-watch-2021.50056856/

Follow on Twitter
https://twitter.com/Gavlebocken

The official opening ceremony this year was yesterday so I’m late.

Fire and pitchforks at the ready people. It’s arson season

 

November
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24. Fatburt
25.
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The Goat Lives (without attack)
The Goat survives attack with minor burns Darth_Duck
The Goat is destroyed by means other than fire or stolen
The Goat survives an attack that doesn't include fire.

 

November
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December
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20. Mar17swgirl
21.
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24. Fatburt
25.
26.
27.
28.
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31.
The Goat Lives (without attack)
The Goat survives attack with minor burns Darth_Duck
The Goat is destroyed by means other than fire or stolen
The Goat survives an attack that doesn't include fire.

 

November
29.
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December
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20. Mar17swgirl
21.
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24. Fatburt
25. Tunes
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
The Goat Lives (without attack)
The Goat survives attack with minor burns Darth_Duck
The Goat is destroyed by means other than fire or stolen
The Goat survives an attack that doesn't include fire.

 

November
29.
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December
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20. Mar17swgirl
21.
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24. Fatburt
25.Tunes
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
The Goat Lives (without attack) LAJ_FETT
The Goat survives attack with minor burns Darth_Duck
The Goat is destroyed by means other than fire or stolen
The Goat survives an attack that doesn't include fire.

 

Looks like our edits overlapped - I've edited you in.

 

November
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December
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20. Mar17swgirl
21.
22.
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24. Fatburt
25.Tunes
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
The Goat Lives (without attack) LAJ_FETT
The Goat survives attack with minor burns Darth_Duck
The Goat is destroyed by means other than fire or stolen
The Goat survives an attack that doesn't include fire. dp4m

 

Going ugly early
November
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December
1.Punk
2.
3.
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17. Darth Smurf
18.
19.
20. Mar17swgirl
21.
22.
23.
24. Fatburt
25.Tunes
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
The Goat Lives (without attack) LAJ_FETT
The Goat survives attack with minor burns Darth_Duck
The Goat is destroyed by means other than fire or stolen
The Goat survives an attack that doesn't include fire. dp4m

 

November
29.
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December
1.Punk
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20. Mar17swgirl
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24. Fatburt
25.Tunes
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31. Coruscant
The Goat Lives (without attack) LAJ_FETT
The Goat survives attack with minor burns Darth_Duck
The Goat is destroyed by means other than fire or stolen
The Goat survives an attack that doesn't include fire. dp4m

 

November
29.
30.
December
1.Punk
2.
3.
4.
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16. Autumnlight
17. Darth Smurf
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20. Mar17swgirl
21.
22.
23.
24. Fatburt
25.Tunes
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31. Coruscant
The Goat Lives (without attack) LAJ_FETT
The Goat survives attack with minor burns Darth_Duck
The Goat is destroyed by means other than fire or stolen
The Goat survives an attack that doesn't include fire. dp4m
​

 

Going ugly early
November
29.
30.
December
1.Punk
2.
3.
4.
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17. Darth Smurf
18.
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20. Mar17swgirl
21.
22.
23.
24. Fatburt
25.Tunes
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
The Goat Lives (without attack) LAJ_FETT
The Goat survives attack with minor burns Darth_Duck
The Goat is destroyed by means other than fire or stolen
The Goat survives an attack that doesn't include fire. dp4m
The Goat gets stolen - Juliet

 

Going ugly early
November
29.
30.
December
1.Punk
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
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17. Darth Smurf
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20. Mar17swgirl
21.
22.
23.
24. Fatburt
25.Tunes
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
The Goat Lives (without attack) LAJ_FETT
The Goat survives attack with minor burns Darth_Duck
The Goat is destroyed by means other than fire or stolen VadersLaMent
The Goat survives an attack that doesn't include fire. dp4m
The Goat gets stolen - Juliet

 

Ah yes, the traditional St. Stephen’s Day goat sacrifice.

November
29.
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December
1.Punk
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20. Mar17swgirl
21.
22.
23.
24. Fatburt
25.Tunes
26. Ramza
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
The Goat Lives (without attack) LAJ_FETT
The Goat survives attack with minor burns Darth_Duck
The Goat is destroyed by means other than fire or stolen VadersLaMent
The Goat survives an attack that doesn't include fire. dp4m
The Goat gets stolen - Juliet

 

November
29.
30.
December
1.Punk
2.Ken
3.
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17. Darth Smurf
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20. Mar17swgirl
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24. Fatburt
25.Tunes
26. Ramza
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
The Goat Lives (without attack) LAJ_FETT
The Goat survives attack with minor burns Darth_Duck
The Goat is destroyed by means other than fire or stolen VadersLaMent
The Goat survives an attack that doesn't include fire. dp4m
The Goat gets stolen - Juliet

 

Uh, I'm the 16th slot. Please include me thanks

 

I've added you back in.

 

November
29.
30.
December
1.Punk
2.Ken
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16.Autumnlight
17. Darth Smurf
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20. Mar17swgirl
21.
22.
23.
24. Fatburt
25.Tunes
26. Ramza
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
The Goat Lives (without attack) LAJ_FETT
The Goat survives attack with minor burns Darth_Duck
The Goat is destroyed by means other than fire or stolen VadersLaMent
The Goat survives an attack that doesn't include fire. dp4m
The Goat gets stolen - Juliet

 

November
29.
30.
December
1.Punk
2.Ken
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13. TTT
14.
15.
16.Autumnlight
17. Darth Smurf
18.
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20. Mar17swgirl
21. vin
22.
23.
24. Fatburt
25.Tunes
26. Ramza
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
The Goat Lives (without attack) LAJ_FETT
The Goat survives attack with minor burns Darth_Duck
The Goat is destroyed by means other than fire or stolen VadersLaMent
The Goat survives an attack that doesn't include fire. dp4m
The Goat gets stolen - Juliet

 

November
29.
30.
December
1.Punk
2.Ken
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12. starfish
13. TTT
14.
15.
16.Autumnlight
17. Darth Smurf
18.
19.
20. Mar17swgirl
21. vin
22.
23.
24. Fatburt
25.Tunes
26. Ramza
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
The Goat Lives (without attack) LAJ_FETT
The Goat survives attack with minor burns Darth_Duck
The Goat is destroyed by means other than fire or stolen VadersLaMent
The Goat survives an attack that doesn't include fire. dp4m
The Goat gets stolen - Juliet

 

November
29.
30.
December
1.Punk
2.Ken
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12. starfish
13. TTT
14.
15.
16.Autumnlight
17. Darth Smurf
18.
19.
20. Mar17swgirl
21. vin
22. EHT
23.
24. Fatburt
25.Tunes
26. Ramza
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
The Goat Lives (without attack) LAJ_FETT
The Goat survives attack with minor burns Darth_Duck
The Goat is destroyed by means other than fire or stolen VadersLaMent
The Goat survives an attack that doesn't include fire. dp4m
The Goat gets stolen - Juliet

 

It's the most wonderful time of the year! I picked the day I'm getting married; hoping for some burning goat for good luck.

November
29.
30.
December
1.Punk
2.Ken
3.
4.
5.
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7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12. starfish
13. TTT
14.
15.
16.Autumnlight
17. Darth Smurf
18.
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20. Mar17swgirl
21. vin
22. EHT
23.
24. Fatburt
25.Tunes
26. Ramza
27.
28.
29.
30. PymParticles
31.
The Goat Lives (without attack) LAJ_FETT
The Goat survives attack with minor burns Darth_Duck
The Goat is destroyed by means other than fire or stolen VadersLaMent
The Goat survives an attack that doesn't include fire. dp4m
The Goat gets stolen - Juliet

 

Getting married around a holiday? I hope your guests don't try setting you on fire.

 

I managed a restaurant and frequently had to do weddings during the holidays

They weren't our favourite days. I remember doing one on Christmas eve, it wasn't fun and neither was Christmas Day as a result.

30th isn't too bad as there is a gap between the insanity of Christmas and New Year. As far as days to choose, it's the best of them.

Hope you have a great day though and TIP the workers