The 715-square-kilometre (276 sq mi) 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 4.4 inhabitants per square kilometre (11/sq mi) and its population has decreased by 0.2% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]
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 serpentOr" (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]
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.