6. Gävle Goat: Sweden’s Giant Straw Centerpiece
Since 1966, the Swedish town of Gävle has annually erected the Gävle Goat, a massive straw Yule Goat standing 13 meters tall and weighing three tons, in the town square to celebrate the Christmas season. Despite various security measures, the goat has been destroyed by arsonists numerous times, becoming a notorious symbol of both festive tradition and the challenges of preserving cultural heritage (smithsonianmag.com).
