【Naked Reunion (1993)】

LONDON -- Alas,Naked Reunion (1993) even Sweden isn't safe from the wrath of 2016.

In our continued coverage of extended metaphors for this tumultuous year, here's a holiday-themed analogy of well-intentioned calamity.

SEE ALSO: The 'word of the year' sums up 2016

The tale starts out quaintly enough. In the Swedish town of Gävle, there is a lovely holiday tradition of erecting a charming goat effigy.

The structure, complete with red ribbons and twinkling lights, is built in tribute to the Scandinavian Yule Goat, a time-honored symbol of the season.

The town gathers around the structure to greet the goat on the first day of Advent. According to the BBC, this year (for the goat's 50th anniversary) around 2.3m kronor (£200,000; $250,000) was spent on its construction and the associated festivities.

Mashable Trend Report Decode what’s viral, what’s next, and what it all means. Sign up for Mashable’s weekly Trend Report newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Another unofficial ritual that has sprung up around this picturesque custom?

Arson.

Over the past 50 years, 35 of the giant wooden and straw structures have been destroyed. Last year, the goat, affectionately called Gävlebocken, made it to 27 December before arsonists set it ablaze.

This year, Gävlebocken didn't even last 24 hours.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Despite increased security and CCTV set up to monitor the "goat," an arsonist managed to do the deed when a guard left his post to use the toilet.

Based on a Twitter account set up on its behalf, Gävlebocken has evidently adopted a resigned outlook on its fate:

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

---

Featured Video For You

---

Wes Anderson’s H&M Christmas ad is what we need this holiday season

---

• Entertainment
• Tech
• Social Good
• Digital Culture
• Science
• Deals
• Shopping
• Life

• The Ultimate Guide to Protecting Your Identity in the Digital Age
• John Stamos' pants gave him a lot of trouble at a recent show
• Creme Eggs on a pizza are either an abomination or the most delicious thing ever
• Gina Rodriguez explains why Equal Pay Day is so important
• Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: $40 off at Amazon
• Absolutely no one can make sense of this celebrity chef's bizarre TV rant
• Ever overshared after hooking up? You can blame science.
• Your political views help determine which science books you buy
• Norrie vs. Diallo 2025 livestream: Watch Madrid Open for free
• Malala Yousafzai will finally receive one of Canada's biggest honors

• YouTube to double pre
• 'Venom' to surpass 'Wonder Woman' and 'Spider
• 'Darksiders III' review: Basically just a super
• NASA's InSight snaps a clear view of Mars' surface
• "Hey Siri, OK Google" on iOS will now open the Google Assistant
• Amnesty International takes aim at Google's censored search engine
• This man's query about a 47
• This loving cat held hands with his owners on his last trip to the vet
• Chinese facial recognition system catches jaywalker, turns out to be a bus
• Grandma spends third Thanksgiving with the teen she accidentally invited to dinner

• Sony PULSE Elite PS5 headset open
• Family delivers perfectly wholesome prank to their mail carrier
• Kid slips the most adorable note into her dad's suitcase before a trip
• Little girl shuts down a salesperson who asks her to choose a different doll
• How an Australian VR gaming studio scored a gig with Boeing to train astronauts
• 36 baby names that are on the verge extinction
• The Mac Pro is getting a major do
• Live from space! Watch Earth live streamed online.
• Mac Mini M2 Desktop deal: Save $100 at Best Buy
• Oh my God, this mom's NSFW pillows are truly something

• How to Remotely Sign Out of Gmail on Multiple Devices
• Here's why dolphins slap octopuses into submission — and why it's dangerous
• Random Aussie quickly learns why you shouldn't heckle a police officer on camera
• The internet is debating Peeps on pizza and OMG what is happening
• Best smartwatch deal: Get $70 off a Samsung Galaxy Watch7 and a free watch band
• The only Melania in the White House is this photograph
• Oops, that vibrator with a camera is super easy to hack
• 'Ghost Recon: Wildlands' review: Ambitious but poorly executed
• Get Rid of Windows 10 Ads, Office Offers and Other Annoyances
• Gina Rodriguez explains why Equal Pay Day is so important