Bocken 2007

This is the third installment of Bocken, and the third time I get to try and explain what it is... Essentially this is a small webcam widget that allows you to follow the events in Gävle, Sweden - home to the largest straw Christmas goat (a tradional symbol here in Sweden) in the world. It features 2 camera angles and choice of refresh times. Clicking on the image will take you to the main site for the goat where a larger image is displayed.

The goat, Gävlebocken, has been the victim of arson a total of 18 times and has a total survival rate of 42% (statistics from Wikipedia). Much has been made of these attacks and much has been done to prevent them. Last year the goat survived, although one attempt was made. The last goat burning was on December 3rd 2005 when it it was:

"Burned by unknown vandals reportedly dressed as Santa and a gingerbread man by shooting a flaming arrow or molotov cocktail at the goat..."

We shall see how things work this year.

For more info see the Wikipedia full definition here.