The goat stands proudly outside Iceland’s sole IKEA branch

The Icelandic branch of IKEA in Garðabær has just installed its Gävle goat, which is under the watchful eye of surveillance cameras after last year’s goat was burnt down. The goat was subject to the same fate as its brothers around the world, which seem to be traditionally set on fire.

“We have 24-hour surveillance and video cameras directed at the goat. We also have people on stand-by with fire extinguishers in case something happens,” said Þórarinn Ævarsson, head of IKEA in Iceland, who seems determined for the worst not to happen this year. “But of course we hope that it will get the chance to stay standing.”

Þórarinn boasts that the goat is considerably larger than the one erected outside the store last year, which was 4.5 metres tall compared with this year’s 6.2 m. The goat weighs just over two tonnes, and was made in Iceland from Icelandic straw. Þórarinn is confident the goat can withstand Icelandic weather conditions and other harsh treatment.

Avid fans of the goat are able to follow its fate on its Facebook page (Icelandic).

Source: Morgunblaðið
Image: IKEA

Labels: Christmas, Garðabær, IKEA