Sirdal

Sirdal is a municipality in Agder county, Norway. It is located in the northwestern part of the traditional district of Lister. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Tonstad. Other villages in Sirdal include Bjørnestad, Haughom, Kvæven, Lunde, and Tjørhom.

Sirdal kommune
Municipality
Ski-tracks in Sirdal
Ski-tracks in Sirdal
Flag of Sirdal kommune
Flag
Coat of arms of Sirdal kommune
Coat of arms
Official logo of Sirdal kommune
Agder within
Norway
Sirdal within Agder
Sirdal within Agder
Coordinates: 58°51′43″N 06°48′48″E
CountryNorway
CountyAgder
DistrictLister
Established1849
 • Preceded byBakke Municipality
Disestablished1 January 1905
 • Succeeded byTonstad and Øvre Sirdal municipalities
Re-established1 January 1960
 • Preceded byBakke, Tonstad, and Øvre Sirdal
Administrative centreTonstad
Government
 • Mayor (2020)Jonny Liland (Ap)
Area
 • Total1,554.27 km2 (600.11 sq mi)
 • Land1,372.87 km2 (530.07 sq mi)
 • Water181.40 km2 (70.04 sq mi)  11.7%
 • Rank#52 in Norway
Population
 (2022)
 • Total1,810
 • Rank#291 in Norway
 • Density1.3/km2 (3/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Decrease −0.3%
DemonymSirdøl[1]
Official language
[2]
 • Norwegian formNeutral
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-4228
WebsiteOfficial website
Data from Statistics Norway

The 1,554-square-kilometre (600 sq mi) municipality is the 52nd largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Sirdal is the 291st most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 1,810. The municipality's population density is 1.3 inhabitants per square kilometre (3.4/sq mi) and its population has decreased by 0.3% over the previous 10-year period.[3][4]

General information
Landscape of Sirdal
View of the Rosskreppfjorden
Winter landscape in Sirdal
Lunde Church

The old parish of Sirdal was first established as a municipality in 1849 when it was separated from the large municipality of Bakke. Initially, Sirdal had 1,804 residents. On 1 January 1903, a small area of Sirdal (population: 63) was transferred to the neighboring municipality of Fjotland. On 1 January 1905, the municipality of Sirdal was dissolved and its territories were divided into two new municipalities: Tonstad (population: 828) and Øvre Sirdal (population: 753). These large, sparsely populated municipalities merged along with the Øksendal area of Bakke municipality to recreate the municipality of Sirdal on 1 January 1960. This time, Sirdal started out with a population of 1,426. On 1 January 1987, the Virak and Espetveit areas of northern Flekkefjord (population: 41) were transferred to Sirdal municipality.[5]

Name

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the Sirdalen valley (Old Norse: Sírudalr) since the valley runs through the municipality. The first element is the genitive case of the river name Síra (now the Sira river). The river name has an unknown meaning, but it could be something like "strong stream". The last element is dalr which means "valley" or "dale".[6]

See also: the name of Utsira

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 17 January 1986. The official blazon is "Vert, three ptarmigans volant argent" (Norwegian: I grønt tre oppflygande sølv ryper, 2 - 1). This means the arms have a green field (background) and the charge is a willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus). The ptarmigan has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The green color in the field and the ptarmigans were chosen as a symbol for the hills and moorland which make up the largest part of the municipality. The willow ptarmigan is a typical bird for the area. The arms were designed by Stein Davidsen. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[7][8][9]

See also: Coats of arms of Lierne and Holtålen

Churches

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

Churches in Sirdal
Parish (sokn)Church nameLocation of the churchYear built
SirdalHaughom ChapelHaughom1930
Kvævemoen ChapelKvæven1962
Lunde ChurchLunde1873
Tonstad ChurchTonstad1852

Geography

Sirdal municipality includes the westernmost valley in Agder county, bordering Rogaland county to the west. To the south, it borders on the municipality of Flekkefjord and to the east is Kvinesdal. Sirdal is the largest municipality by area in Agder. Lakes in the region include Gravatnet, Kulivatnet, Kvifjorden, Øyarvatnet, Rosskreppfjorden, Sirdalsvatnet, and Valevatn. The mountain Urddalsknuten lies at the northern end of the municipality.

In 1990, the mountain road opened between the Sirdalen valley and the Setesdal valley over the Suleskard mountain pass. It connected Sirdal to Brokke in the neighboring municipality of Valle to the east. It shortened the distance from Oslo to Stavanger by 110 kilometres (68 mi) in the summer, and the road passes through barren, glacier-scoured highland. As it passes by the Rosskreppfjorden, it ascends to over 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) above sea level.[10]

Climate
Climate data for Tonstad 1961-90
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Daily mean °C (°F) −2.0
(28.4)		 −2.2
(28.0)		 0.8
(33.4)		 4.4
(39.9)		 9.8
(49.6)		 13.4
(56.1)		 15.0
(59.0)		 14.4
(57.9)		 10.7
(51.3)		 6.9
(44.4)		 2.3
(36.1)		 −1.3
(29.7)		 6.0
(42.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 185
(7.3)		 131
(5.2)		 139
(5.5)		 74
(2.9)		 102
(4.0)		 99
(3.9)		 109
(4.3)		 147
(5.8)		 213
(8.4)		 248
(9.8)		 239
(9.4)		 204
(8.0)		 1,890
(74.4)
Source: Norwegian Meteorological Institute[11]

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 Dalane District Court and the Gulating Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Sirdal is made up of 19 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.

Sirdal kommunestyre 2020–2023 [13]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
  Joint list of the Progress Party and the Sirdal list (Fremskrittspartiet og Sirdalslisten) 1
Total number of members:19
Sirdal kommunestyre 2016–2019 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Sirdal local list (Sirdal Bygdeliste)2
Total number of members:19
Sirdal kommunestyre 2012–2015 [15]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Rural development list (Bygdeutviklingslista)3
Total number of members:19
Sirdal kommunestyre 2008–2011 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 3
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:19
Sirdal kommunestyre 2004–2007 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 3
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:19
Sirdal kommunestyre 2000–2003 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 4
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:19
Sirdal kommunestyre 1996–1999 [16]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:19
Sirdal kommunestyre 1992–1995 [17]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:19
Sirdal kommunestyre 1988–1991 [18]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:19
Sirdal kommunestyre 1984–1987 [19]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
 Sirdal local list (Sirdal Bygdeliste)1
Total number of members:19
Sirdal kommunestyre 1980–1983 [20]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Sirdal local list (Sirdal bygdeliste)2
Total number of members:19
Sirdal kommunestyre 1976–1979 [21]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
  Joint list of the Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) and New People's Party (Nye Folkepartiet) 3
 Sirdal local list (Sirdal Bygdeliste)3
Total number of members:19
Sirdal kommunestyre 1972–1975 [22]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 4
Total number of members:19
Sirdal kommunestyre 1968–1971 [23]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
  List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders (Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste) 1
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 2
Total number of members:19
Sirdal kommunestyre 1964–1967 [24]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 3
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 8
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 2
Total number of members:19
Sirdal kommunestyre 1960–1963 [25]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 4
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 10
Total number of members:19

Mayors

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

  • 1893-1894: Bernt Andreas Lindeland
  • 1897-1898: Bernt Andreas Lindeland
  • (1905-1959: Municipality dissolved)
  • 1960-1963: Erik Kvæven
  • 1964-1995: Sven Tjørhom
  • 1995-2003: Torjus Kvæven (Sp)
  • 2003-2011: Thor Jørgen Tjørhom (Sp)
  • 2011-2015: Jonny Liland (Ap)
  • 2015-2019: Thor Jørgen Tjørhom (Sp)
  • 2020-present: Jonny Liland (Ap)

Economy
View of the lake Valevatn
View of the Dorgefoss waterfall in Sirdal, circa 1948

The main source of income for Sirdal is the Sira-Kvina Power Company which gets its power from the big Sira and Kvina rivers. The waterfalls on the river Sira are utilized in four power stations owned by Sira-Kvina power company. The company also owns three power stations in the Kvina river system, hence the company's name. Total annual production is 6,000 gigawatt-hours (22,000 TJ), total installation is 1,760 megawatts (2,360,000 hp). The largest power station, Tonstad Hydroelectric Power Station, was inaugurated in 1968, with two units, each producing 160 megawatts (210,000 hp). The power station has now 4 units, each 160 MW, and one unit at 320 megawatts (430,000 hp), giving a total output of 960 megawatts (1,290,000 hp). Total annual production in this station is approximately 4,000 gigawatt-hours (14,000 TJ), which makes Tonstad the largest power station in Norway in terms of production. Sira-Kvina power company applied in 2007 for concession to expand the power station with two new units (reversible turbines), each containing 480 megawatts (640,000 hp), and the concession is pending.[26]

Tourism is also an important source of income for the Sirdal economy, taking advantage of the extensive mountains, mountainous plateaus, lakes, and great views. There are multiple alpine resorts and hotels in the valley, as well as cottages and camping spots. Winter activities include six ski resorts for winter enjoyment. Downhill ski areas include Tjørhomfjellet, Bjørnestad Ski Centre, Ålsheia Ski Centre, Fidjeland Ski Centre, and Ådneram Ski lift. Cross-country skiers can enjoy dozens of trails over spectacular terrain. Summer activities include hiking, horseback riding, and river rafting.[26]

History

From the oldest times the Sirdalen valley was divided by the river Sira with Rogaland county controlling the west side and Agder county controlling the east side. The two sides of the valley, however, was established as one single parish in Christian times, even though it crossed county lines, something that was not very common in Norway.

In 1837, it was decided that every parish should be a municipality, but no municipality should belong to more than one county (see formannskapsdistrikt law). Sirdal parish was therefore first divided in two municipalities. This was a bad decision because they had very few inhabitants separately. A new solution was found in 1839 when the two municipalities were re-joined, and the county border was moved so that all of Sirdalen was in Vest-Agder county.

At Kvæven, in northern Sirdal one finds the Sirdal Mountain Museum. This museum has a collection of old Sirdal buildings. Former lifestyles are visible in the farmhouse, a schoolhouse, stable, blacksmith's shop, barn, and mountain farm cottage as well as original equipment.

Notable people

International relations
Main article: List of twin towns and sister cities in Norway

Twin towns — Sister cities

References
  1. "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  2. "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  3. Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  4. Statistisk sentralbyrå. "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian).
  5. Jukvam, Dag (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå. ISBN 9788253746845.
  6. Rygh, Oluf (1912). Norske gaardnavne: Lister og Mandals amt (in Norwegian) (9 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. pp. 328–329.
  7. "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  8. "Sirdal, Vest-Agder (Norway)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  9. "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 17 January 1986. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  10. Welle-Strand, Erling (1996). Adventure Roads in Norway. Nortrabooks. ISBN 9788290103717.
  11. "eKlima Web Portal". Norwegian Meteorological Institute. Archived from the original on 14 June 2004.
  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 - Agder". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  14. "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  15. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Vest-Agder". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  16. "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  17. "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  18. "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  19. "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  20. "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  21. "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  22. "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  23. "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  24. "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  25. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  26. Stagg, Frank Noel (1958). South Norway. George Allen & Unwin, Ltd.
  27. "Sõprusvallad" (in Estonian). Väike-Maarja vald. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
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