Seljord Municipality
Seljord kommune
Municipality
Sillejord herred  (historic name)
Silgjord herred  (historic name)
View of the local Seljord Church
View of the local Seljord Church
Flag of Seljord Municipality
Flag
Coat of arms of Seljord Municipality
Coat of arms
Telemark within Norway
Telemark within Norway
Seljord within Telemark
Seljord within Telemark
Coordinates: 59°30′48″N 8°38′56″E / 59.51333°N 8.64889°E / 59.51333; 8.64889
CountryNorway
CountyTelemark
DistrictVest-Telemark
Established1 Jan 1838
 • Created asFormannskapsdistrikt
Administrative centreSeljord
Government
 • Mayor (2023)Solveig Sundbø Abrahamsen (H)
Area
 • Total715.09 km2 (276.10 sq mi)
 • Land669.27 km2 (258.41 sq mi)
 • Water45.82 km2 (17.69 sq mi)  6.4%
 • Rank#161 in Norway
Population
 (2022)
 • Total2,889
 • Rank#231 in Norway
 • Density4.3/km2 (11/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Decrease −2.4%
DemonymSeljording[1]
Official language
[2]
 • Norwegian formNynorsk
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-4022[3]
WebsiteOfficial website
Data from Statistics Norway

Seljord is a municipality in Telemark county, Norway. It is located in the traditional districts of Upper Telemark and Vest-Telemark. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Seljord. Other villages in the municipality include Flatdal and Åmotsdal.

The 715-square-kilometre (276 sq mi) municipality is the 161st largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Seljord is the 231st most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 2,889. The municipality's population density is 4.3 inhabitants per square kilometre (11/sq mi) and its population has decreased by 2.4% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]

Seljord is famous for its sea serpent, Selma, who allegedly lives in Lake Seljord (Seljordsvatnet).

The yearly Dyrsku'n market, held since 1866, attracts 60,000 to 80,000 visitors each year. The large fair started as a show of farm animals. More recently, it also includes a huge market with vendors selling a variety of goods including base layer clothing, Bergans outdoors equipment, crafts, and food. Amusement rides are also featured.

Seljord folk high school is located in Seljord. The school offers a variety of courses including outdoor adventure, theater, music, and art.

General information

The parish of Sillejord (later spelled Seljord) was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). On 11 October 1873, an unpopulated area of Kviteseid Municipality was transferred to Seljord. On 1 January 1883, an area of southeastern Seljord (population: 235) was transferred to the neighboring Bø Municipality. On 23 January 1905, an unpopulated part of Hjartdal Municipality was transferred to Seljord.[6]

Name

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Seljord farm (Old Norse: Seljugerði) since the first Seljord Church was built there. The first element is the genitive case of the word selja which means "sallow-tree" or "willow". The last element is gerði which means "field". Prior to 1889, the name was spelled Silgjord or Sillejord.[7]

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 15 September 1989. The official blazon is "Gules, a sea serpent Or" (Norwegian: På raud grunn ein gull sjøorm). This means the arms have a red field (background) and the charge is a sea serpent. The charge has a tincture of Or which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. The design symbolizes the local legend of a sea serpent named Selma who allegedly lives in the lake Seljordsvatn. The arms were designed by Trygve Magnus Barstad. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[8][9][10][11]

Churches

The Church of Norway has one parish (sokn) within the municipality of Seljord. It is part of the Øvre Telemark prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Agder og Telemark.

Churches in Seljord
Parish (sokn)Church nameLocation of the churchYear built
SeljordFlatdal ChurchFlatdal1654
Mandal ChapelMandal1954
Seljord ChurchSeljord1180
Åmotsdal ChurchÅmotsdal1792

Government

All municipalities in Norway are responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor is indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.[12] The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Telemark District Court and the Agder Court of Appeal.

Mayors

The mayors (Norwegian: ordfører) of Seljord (incomplete list):

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Seljord is made up of 17 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.

Seljord kommunestyre 2019–2023 [13]  
Party name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 3
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 2
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet Dei Grøne) 2
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
Total number of members:17
Seljord kommunestyre 2015–2019 [14][15]  
Party name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 6
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 1
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet Dei Grøne) 1
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:21
Seljord kommunestyre 2011–2015 [16]  
Party name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 4
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 8
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:21
Seljord kommunestyre 2007–2011 [15]  
Party name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 7
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:25
Seljord kommunestyre 2003–2007 [15]  
Party name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 6
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 6
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:25
Seljord kommunestyre 1999–2003 [15][17]  
Party name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 7
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:25
Seljord kommunestyre 1995–1999 [18]  
Party name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 7
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 9
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:25
Seljord kommunestyre 1991–1995 [19]  
Party name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 10
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:27
Seljord kommunestyre 1987–1991 [20]  
Party name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 11
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:27
Seljord kommunestyre 1983–1987 [21]  
Party name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 11
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:27
Seljord kommunestyre 1979–1983 [22]  
Party name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 10
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:27
Seljord kommunestyre 1975–1979 [23]  
Party name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 10
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister) 8
 Cross-party local list (Tverrpolitisk Bygdeliste)2
Total number of members:27
Seljord kommunestyre 1971–1975 [24]  
Party name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 13
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister) 14
Total number of members:27
Seljord kommunestyre 1967–1971 [25]  
Party name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 13
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister) 14
Total number of members:27
Seljord kommunestyre 1963–1967 [26]  
Party name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 13
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister) 14
Total number of members:27
Seljord heradsstyre 1959–1963 [27]  
Party name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 13
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister) 14
Total number of members:27
Seljord heradsstyre 1955–1959 [28]  
Party name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 14
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister) 13
Total number of members:27
Seljord heradsstyre 1951–1955 [29]  
Party name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 11
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister) 13
Total number of members:24
Seljord heradsstyre 1947–1951 [30]  
Party name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 9
  Joint list of the Liberal Party (Venstre) and the Radical People's Party (Radikale Folkepartiet) 3
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister) 12
Total number of members:24
Seljord heradsstyre 1945–1947 [31]  
Party name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 24
Total number of members:24
Seljord heradsstyre 1937–1941* [32]  
Party name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 10
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
  Joint list of the Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) and the Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister) 4
Total number of members:24
Note: Due to the German occupation of Norway during World War II, no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945.

Notable people

Helga Flatland, 2016

References

  1. ↑ "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  2. ↑ "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  3. ↑ Bolstad, Erik; Thorsnæs, Geir, eds. (26 January 2023). "Kommunenummer". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget.
  4. ↑ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  5. ↑ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian).
  6. ↑ Jukvam, Dag (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå. ISBN 9788253746845.
  7. ↑ Rygh, Oluf (1914). Norske gaardnavne: Bratsbergs amt (in Norwegian) (7 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. pp. 322–323.
  8. ↑ "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  9. ↑ "Seljord, Telemark (Norway)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  10. ↑ "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 15 October 1989. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  11. ↑ "Kommunevåpenet" (in Norwegian). Seljord kommune. Retrieved 17 January 2009.
  12. ↑ Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (20 September 2022). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  13. ↑ "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Vestfold og Telemark". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  14. ↑ "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2015 - Telemark". Valg Direktoratet.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  16. ↑ "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Telemark". Valg Direktoratet.
  17. ↑ "Kommunestyrevalget 1999" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 2000. ISBN 8253748531. ISSN 0332-8023.
  18. ↑ "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. ISBN 8253743351. ISSN 0332-8023.
  19. ↑ "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. ISBN 8253737939. ISSN 0332-8023.
  20. ↑ "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. ISBN 8253726325. ISSN 0332-8023.
  21. ↑ "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. ISBN 8253720378. ISSN 0332-8023.
  22. ↑ "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. ISBN 8253710836. ISSN 0332-8023.
  23. ↑ "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. ISBN 8253705646.
  24. ↑ "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. ISBN 8253701144.
  25. ↑ "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967.
  26. ↑ "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964.
  27. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960.
  28. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957.
  29. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952.
  30. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948.
  31. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947.
  32. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938.
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