Seljord

Seljord kommune

Municipality

Coat of arms

Telemark within
Norway

Seljord within Telemark

Coordinates: 59°30′48″N 8°38′56″E / 59.51333°N 8.64889°ECoordinates: 59°30′48″N 8°38′56″E / 59.51333°N 8.64889°E

Country

Administrative centre

Seljord

Government

• Mayor (2015)

Halfdan Haugan (Ap)

Area

• Total

715 km² (276 sq mi)

• Land

670 km² (260 sq mi)

Area rank

155 in Norway

Population (2013)

• Total

2,944

• Density

4/km² (10/sq mi)

Demonym(s)

Seljording

Time zone

CET (UTC+1)

• Summer (DST)

CEST (UTC+2)

ISO 3166 code

NO-0828

Official language form

Nynorsk

Website

www.seljord.kommune.no

Data from Statistics Norway

Seljord is a municipality in Telemark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Vest-Telemark. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Seljord. The parish of Siljord was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt).

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

The yearly Dyrsku'n market, held since 1866, attracts 60–80,000 visitors each year. The large fair started as a show of farm animals. Today it 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 Folkehøgskule is located in Seljord. The school offers a variety of courses including outdoor adventure, theater, music, and art. Seljord Folk High School

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

The coat-of-arms is from modern times. They were granted on 15 September 1989. The arms show the sea serpent Selma in a gold-color on a red background.

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Wikipedia