Every year, a big goat made of straw is erected in my home town. In fact, it's the biggest goat made of straw in the entire world. Eh, yeah... The straw goat is a symbol of Santa's predecessor, the christmas goat, who travelled the land and handed out gifts in early 19th century.

Before that, the goat was a beast of Thor's, the god of thunder in norse mythology, but also a symbol of satan as the escort of St. Nikolaus, the patron saint of children. It's all complicated and very old history, dating back at least to early 13th century Europe. Today, the goat is a prominent symbol for Christmas in Sweden, where a goat of straw often can be found under the Christmas tree, and basically anywhere else.

Since 1966, my home town has erected a huges goat of straw every year. It's a very famous tradition, even outside of Sweden, because somebody always sets it on fire, protective measures notwithstanding, and others gamble on if, or when, the straw goat will burn. When I passed it this morning on my way to work, all that was left of it was a severely burnt wooden frame.

This year they believe it was a group of kids who set it on fire (pictures: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, live camera), they don't know who, yet, but I bet they'll find out. In 2001, a tourist commonly called "the crazy American" set it on fire. When they caught him he claimed he "thought it was a perfectly legal tradition". Unfortunately for him, claiming stupidity isn't a very effective defence over here.

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