Seljord
{{short description|Municipality in Telemark, Norway}}
{{about|the municipality in Telemark, Norway|the village within this municipality|Seljord (village)}}
{{Infobox kommune
|name = Seljord
|native_name =
|native_name_lang =
|other_name =
|former_name = Sillejord herred
|former_name1 = Silgjord herred
|image_skyline = Seljord kirke, Seljord kommune, Teleamrk.jpg
|image_caption = View of the local Seljord Church
|idnumber = 4022
|county = Telemark
|district = Vest-Telemark
|capital = Seljord
|established = 1 Jan 1838
|preceded = none
|demonym = Seljording
|language = Nynorsk
|coatofarms = Seljord_komm.svg
|flag =
|webpage = www.seljord.kommune.no
|mayor = Solveig Sundbø Abrahamsen
|mayor_party = H
|mayor_as_of = 2023
|area_rank = 161
|area_total_km2 = 715.09
|area_land_km2 = 669.28
|area_water_km2 = 45.81
|area_water_percent = 6.4
|population_as_of = 2023
|population_rank = 229
|population_total = 2939
|population_density_km2 = 4.4
|population_increase = -0.2
|coordinates = {{coord|59|30|48|N|8|38|56|E|region:NO|display=inline,title}}
|utm_zone = 32V | utm_northing = 6597271 | utm_easting = 0480132 | geo_cat = adm2nd
}}
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 {{convert|715|km2|adj=on}} municipality is the 161st largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Seljord is the 229th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 2,939. The municipality's population density is {{convert|4.4|PD/km2}} and its population has decreased by 0.2% over the previous 10-year period.{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |title=Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/06913/ |language=Norwegian}}{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |title=09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/09280/ |language=Norwegian}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Jukvam |first=Dag |year=1999 |title=Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen |url=http://www.ssb.no/emner/00/90/rapp_9913/rapp_9913.pdf |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |isbn=9788253746845}}
=Name=
The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Seljord farm ({{langx|non|Seljugerði}}) since the first Seljord Church was built there. The first element is the genitive case of the word {{wikt-lang|non|selja}} which means "sallow-tree" or "willow". The last element is {{wikt-lang|non|gerði}} which means "field". Prior to 1889, the name was spelled Silgjord or Sillejord.{{Cite book |last=Rygh |first=Oluf |url=https://www.nb.no/items/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2006120600018 |title=Norske gaardnavne: Bratsbergs amt |date=1914 |publisher=W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri |edition=7 |location=Kristiania, Norge |pages=322–323 |language=no |authorlink=Oluf Rygh}}
=Coat of arms=
The coat of arms was granted on 15 September 1989. The official blazon is "Gules, a sea serpent Or" ({{langx|no|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.{{Cite web |title=Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen |url=https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Seljord |access-date=2023-08-13 |publisher=Heraldry of the World}}{{Cite web |title=Seljord, Telemark (Norway) |url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/no-08-28.html |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=Flags of the World}}{{Cite web |date=1989-10-15 |title=Godkjenning av våpen og flagg |url=https://lovdata.no/dokument/LF/forskrift/1989-09-15-958 |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=Lovdata.no |publisher=Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet |language=no}}{{Cite web |title=Kommunevåpenet |url=http://www.seljord.kommune.no/sitecore/content/Seljord/Internett/Toppmeny/Fakta%20om%20kommunen/Kommunevapenet.aspx |access-date=2009-01-17 |publisher=Seljord kommune |language=no}}
=Churches=
The Church of Norway has one parish ({{lang|no|sokn}}) within the municipality of Seljord. It is part of the Øvre Telemark prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Agder og Telemark.
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ style="font-size:medium"|Churches in Seljord !Parish ({{lang|no|sokn}})!!Church name!!Location of the church!!Year built | |||
rowspan="4"|Seljord | Flatdal Church | Flatdal | 1654 |
Mandal Chapel | Mandal | 1954 | |
Seljord Church | Seljord | 1180 | |
Åmotsdal Church | Åmotsdal | 1792 |
Government
Seljord Municipality is 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.{{Cite encyclopedia |title=kommunestyre |encyclopedia=Store norske leksikon |publisher=Kunnskapsforlaget |url=https://snl.no/kommunestyre |date=2022-09-20 |editor-last=Hansen |editor-first=Tore |language=Norwegian |editor2-last=Vabo |editor2-first=Signy Irene |accessdate=2022-10-14}} The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Telemark District Court and the Agder Court of Appeal.
=Mayors=
{{incomplete list|date=August 2023}}
The mayors ({{langx|no|ordfører}}) of Seljord (incomplete list):
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
- 1878-1884: Jørund Telnes
- 1886-1886: Jørund Telnes
- 2004-2007: John Kleivstaul (Sp)
- 2007-2013: Solveig Sundbø Abrahamsen (H)
- 2013-2015: Jon Svartdal (KrF)
- 2015-2019: Halfdan Haugan (Ap)
- 2019–2023: Beate Marie Dahl Eide (Sp)
- 2023-present: Solveig Sundbø Abrahamsen (H){{Cite news |last=Skumsvoll |first=Nils Fridtjof |date=2023-09-14 |title=Dette er de nye ordførerne i Vestfold og Telemark |url=https://www.nrk.no/vestfoldogtelemark/dette-er-de-nye-ordforerne-i-vestfold-og-telemark--1.16557046 |access-date=2024-01-30 |work=NRK |language=no}}
{{div col end}}
=Municipal council=
The municipal council {{lang|no|(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.
{{div col}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|start = 2023
|end = 2027
|reference = {{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Telemark |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2023/ko/telemark/seljord#seats |access-date=2024-01-30 |publisher=Valgdirektoratet}}
|collapsed =
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet = 4
|Fremskrittspartiet = 4
|Høyre = 5
|Rødt = 1
|Senterpartiet = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|start = 2019
|end = 2023
|reference = {{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Vestfold og Telemark |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2019/ko/vestfold%20og%20telemark/seljord#seats |access-date=2023-08-13 |publisher=Valgdirektoratet}}
|collapsed = yes
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet = 3
|Fremskrittspartiet = 2
|Grønne = 2
|Høyre = 3
|Senterpartiet = 7
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|start = 2015
|end = 2019
|reference = {{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2015 - Telemark |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2015/ko/telemark/seljord#seats |publisher=Valgdirektoratet}}{{Cite web |title=Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/04813/ |publisher=Statistics Norway |language=Norwegian}}
|collapsed = yes
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet = 6
|Fremskrittspartiet = 1
|Grønne = 1
|Høyre = 5
|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1
|Senterpartiet = 6
|Venstre = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|start = 2011
|end = 2015
|reference = {{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Telemark |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2011/ko/telemark/seljord#seats |publisher=Valgdirektoratet}}
|collapsed = yes
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet = 4
|Fremskrittspartiet = 2
|Høyre = 8
|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 3
|Senterpartiet = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|start = 2007
|end = 2011
|collapsed = yes
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 25
|Arbeiderpartiet = 7
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Senterpartiet = 3
|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 4
|Venstre = 2
|Høyre = 4
|Fremskrittspartiet = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|start = 2003
|end = 2007
|collapsed = yes
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 25
|Arbeiderpartiet = 6
|Fremskrittspartiet = 3
|Høyre = 6
|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 2
|Senterpartiet = 4
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3
|Venstre = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|start = 1999
|end = 2003
|reference = {{Cite web |date=2000 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1999 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/publikasjoner/pdf/nos_c621/nos_c621.pdf |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |format=PDF |isbn=8253748531 |issn=0332-8023 |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge}}
|collapsed = yes
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 25
|Arbeiderpartiet = 6
|Høyre = 7
|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 3
|Senterpartiet = 6
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|start = 1995
|end = 1999
|collapsed = yes
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 25
|Arbeiderpartiet = 7
|Høyre = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 2
|Senterpartiet = 9
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|start = 1991
|end = 1995
|collapsed = yes
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet = 10
|Høyre = 3
|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 3
|Senterpartiet = 7
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3
|Venstre = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|start = 1987
|end = 1991
|collapsed = yes
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet = 11
|Høyre = 5
|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 3
|Senterpartiet = 3
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|start = 1983
|end = 1987
|collapsed = yes
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet = 11
|Høyre = 5
|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 4
|Senterpartiet = 3
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|start = 1979
|end = 1983
|collapsed = yes
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet = 10
|Høyre = 5
|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 5
|Senterpartiet = 3
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|start = 1975
|end = 1979
|collapsed = yes
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet = 10
|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 6
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Borgerlige_Felleslister = 8
|otherparty = Cross-party local list
|otherparty_no = Tverrpolitisk Bygdeliste
|otherparty_number = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|start = 1971
|end = 1975
|collapsed = yes
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet = 13
|Borgerlige_Felleslister = 14
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|start = 1967
|end = 1971
|collapsed = yes
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet = 13
|Borgerlige_Felleslister = 14
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|start = 1963
|end = 1967
|collapsed = yes
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet = 13
|Borgerlige_Felleslister = 14
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|herad = yes
|start = 1959
|end = 1963
|collapsed = yes
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet = 13
|Borgerlige_Felleslister = 14
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|herad = yes
|start = 1955
|end = 1959
|collapsed = yes
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet = 14
|Borgerlige_Felleslister = 13
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|herad = yes
|start = 1951
|end = 1955
|collapsed = yes
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 24
|Arbeiderpartiet = 11
|Borgerlige_Felleslister = 13
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|herad = yes
|start = 1947
|end = 1951
|collapsed = yes
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 24
|Arbeiderpartiet = 9
|V/DRF = 3
|Borgerlige_Felleslister = 12
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|herad = yes
|start = 1945
|end = 1947
|collapsed = yes
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 24
|Local_Lists = 24
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Seljord
|herad = yes
|start = 1937
|end = 1941*
|collapsed = yes
|nynorsk = yes
|Total = 24
|Venstre = 5
|Borgerlige_Felleslister = 4
|Arbeiderpartiet = 10
|Sp/V = 5
|}}
{{div col end}}
Media gallery
Seljord kirke, minnestøtte for salmedikteren Landstad.jpg|Memorial to Magnus Brostrup Landstad
Manndal chapel (3862071465).jpg| Mandal Chapel
Åmotsdal church (3836952040).jpg| Åmotsdal Church
Seljord lake.JPG|Lake Seljord (Seljordsvatnet)
Seljord Boathouse.JPG|Flooded boathouse in Seljord
Notable people
File:Helga Flatland (cropped).jpg
- Anne Godlid (1773-1863), a 19th-century Norwegian storyteller
- Jacob Andreas Wille (1777–1850), a priest, teacher, and Mayor of Seljord
- Daniel Bremer Juell (1808-1855), the Bishop of Tromsø from 1849-1855
- Jørund Telnes (1845-1892), a farmer, teacher, writer, and Mayor of Seljord
- Halvor J. Sandsdalen (1911-1998), a writer and folklore collector
- Ingebjørg Kasin Sandsdalen (1915-2003), a poet
- Aslaug Høydal (1916-2007), a schoolteacher, novelist, poet, and children's writer
- Terje Grøstad (1925–2011), a painter and illustrator who lived in Flatdal
- Hallvard Flatland (born 1957), a TV personality
- Kim Leine (born 1961), a Danish-Norwegian author
- Helga Flatland (born 1984), a novelist and children's writer who was brought up in Flatdal
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{wiktionary-inline|Seljord}}
- [http://ssb.no/kommunefakta/seljord Municipal fact sheet] from Statistics Norway {{in lang|no}}*{{Wikivoyage inline|Telemark}}
- [http://www.seljord.fhs.no/ Seljord Folk High School]
{{Telemark}}
{{Authority control}}
{{use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}