Vikna

Vikna is a large island archipelago and a former municipality in Trøndelag county, Norway. The municipality existed from 1869 until its dissolution in 2020 when it joined Nærøysund Municipality. It was part of the Namdalen region. The administrative centre of the municipality was the town of Rørvik. Other villages in Vikna included Austafjord, Garstad, and Valøya.

Vikna kommune
Former municipality
View of Rørvik
View of Rørvik
Flag of Vikna kommune
Flag
Coat of arms of Vikna kommune
Coat of arms
Official logo of Vikna kommune
Trøndelag within
Norway
Vikna within Trøndelag
Vikna within Trøndelag
Coordinates: 64°54′42″N 11°01′55″E
CountryNorway
CountyTrøndelag
DistrictNamdalen
Established1 July 1869
 • Preceded byNærøy Municipality
Disestablished1 Jan 2020
 • Succeeded byNærøysund Municipality
Administrative centreRørvik
Government
 • Mayor (2015-2019)Amund Hellesø (AP)
Area
 (upon dissolution)
 • Total318.69 km2 (123.05 sq mi)
 • Land311.17 km2 (120.14 sq mi)
 • Water7.52 km2 (2.90 sq mi)  2.4%
 • Rank#269 in Norway
Population
 (2018)
 • Total4,492
 • Rank#221 in Norway
 • Density14.4/km2 (37/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Increase +11.4%
DemonymsViknværing
Viknaværing[1]
Official language
[2]
 • Norwegian formNeutral
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-5050
WebsiteOfficial website
Data from Statistics Norway

At the time of its dissolution in 2020, the 319-square-kilometre (123 sq mi) municipality was the 269th largest by area out of the 422 municipalities in Norway. Vikna was the 221st most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 4,492. The municipality's population density was 14.4 inhabitants per square kilometre (37/sq mi) and its population had increased by 11.4% over the last decade.[3][4]

General information
Ytre Vikna.

The municipality of Vikten was established on 1 July 1869 when it was separated from the large municipality of Nærøy. Initially, the population of Vikten was 1,749. On 1 January 1881, a small area of Fosnes (population: 61) was transferred to Vikten. The name of the municipality was later changed to Vikna.[5]

On 1 January 2018, the municipality switched from the old Nord-Trøndelag county to the new Trøndelag county.

On 1 January 2020, the municipality of Vikna was merged with most of the neighboring municipality of Nærøy to form the new Nærøysund Municipality.[6] The Lund area in Nærøy was not part of the merger. It became part of the newly enlarged Namsos Municipality on the same date.[7]

Name

The municipality (originally the parish) is named "Vikna" or historically Vikten. It was named after the three large islands which made up the municipality: Inner-Vikna, Mellom-Vikna, and Ytter-Vikna (Old Norse: Víkn). The name is derived from the word vík which means "cove" or "wick" (likely since the islands have numerous coves and inlets.[8]

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 13 May 1988 and it was in use until 1 January 2020 when the municipality was dissolved. The official blazon is "Azure, three salmon argent in annulo" (Norwegian: I blått tre sølv lakser som danner en sirkel). This means the arms have a blue field (background) and the charge is three salmon forming a circle. The fish design has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. This design was chosen to symbolize the importance of salmon fishing and farming in the municipality. The arms were designed by Torleif Flosand. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[9][10][11]

Churches

The Church of Norway had one parish (sokn) within the municipality of Vikna. It was part of the Namdal prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nidaros.

Churches in Vikna
Parish (sokn)Church nameLocation of the churchYear built
ViknaGarstad ChurchGarstad1856
Rørvik ChurchRørvik1896
Valøy ChapelValøya1972

Geography
Langsundet strait
Vikna landscape in spring. 2009.

The municipality consisted of a large island archipelago with some 6,000 large and small islands going far into the Norwegian Sea off the northwestern coast of Trøndelag county. Vikna is the largest spawning area for cod south of Lofoten. The three largest islands are: Inner-Vikna, closest to the mainland, Mellom-Vikna, and then Ytter-Vikna as the westernmost island. Other islands include Borgan and Lauvøya.

The main village for the municipality was Rørvik, located on the eastern shore of Inner-Vikna, facing the mainland across the Nærøysundet strait. The many islands in the area means that there are many lighthouses including Gjeslingene Lighthouse, Grinna Lighthouse, Nærøysund Lighthouse, and Nordøyan Lighthouse.

On 21 October 1962, the coastal steamer (Hurtigruten) Sanct Svithun run aground on Nordøyan as a result of navigational error. The ship sunk, and there was a tragic loss of 41 lives. A memorial bauta was raised on Nordøyan in 2002.

Government

While it existed, this municipality was responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, unemployment and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads. During its existence, this municipality was governed by a municipal council of elected representatives, which in turn elected a mayor.[12] The municipality fell under the Namdal District Court and the Frostating Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Vikna is made up of 23 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The party breakdown of the final municipal council was as follows:

Vikna kommunestyre 2016–2019 [13]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 7
Total number of members:23
Vikna kommunestyre 2012–2015 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:23
Vikna kommunestyre 2008–2011 [13]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 5
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:23
Vikna kommunestyre 2004–2007 [13]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:23
Vikna kommunestyre 2000–2003 [13]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 6
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:23
Vikna kommunestyre 1996–1999 [15]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 8
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:23
Vikna kommunestyre 1992–1995 [16]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:23
Vikna kommunestyre 1988–1991 [17]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:23
Vikna kommunestyre 1984–1987 [18]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:23
Vikna kommunestyre 1980–1983 [19]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:23
Vikna kommunestyre 1976–1979 [20]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:23
Vikna kommunestyre 1972–1975 [21]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:23
Vikna kommunestyre 1968–1971 [22]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
Total number of members:23
Vikna kommunestyre 1964–1967 [23]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:23
Vikna herredsstyre 1960–1963 [24]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 6
Total number of members:23
Vikna herredsstyre 1956–1959 [25]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 2
Total number of members:23
Vikna herredsstyre 1952–1955 [26]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 7
Total number of members:20
Vikna herredsstyre 1948–1951 [27]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 1
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 8
Total number of members:20
Vikna herredsstyre 1945–1947 [28]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 1
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 6
Total number of members:20
Vikna herredsstyre 1938–1941* [29]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 7
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 2
Total number of members:20
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.

Mayors

The mayors of Vikna:[30][31]

  • 1870–1875: Iver Kirkeby
  • 1876–1877: Arnold Bugge
  • 1878–1881: Benjamin Gjestsen
  • 1882–1898: Kasper Sund (V)
  • 1899–1901: Christoffer Inderberg (V)
  • 1902–1904: Knut Rangsæter (V)
  • 1905–1922: Christoffer Inderberg (V)
  • 1923–1928: Christian Ulsund (Bp)
  • 1929–1942: Ingvar Inderberg (V)
  • 1942–1943: T.B. Norberg (NS)
  • 1943–1945: Fredrik C. Hansen (NS)
  • 1945-1945: Ingvar Inderberg (V)
  • 1946–1947: Arthur Prestvik (Ap)
  • 1948–1951: Leon Brevik (V)
  • 1952–1955: Fredrik Lie-Gjeseth (Bp)
  • 1956–1975: Lars Kirkeby-Garstad (Bp)
  • 1976–1979: Arne Hansen (V)
  • 1980–1983: Roald Kirkeby-Garstad (Sp)
  • 1984–1991: Magnus Kleven (Ap)
  • 1992–1997: Lars Peder Brekk (Sp)
  • 1997–2003: Else Hansvik Storsul (H)
  • 2003–2011: Karin Søraunet (KrF)
  • 2011–2015: Reinert Eidshaug (Ap)
  • 2015–2019: Amund Hellesø (Ap)

Economy

Fishing, fish farming, public services, and agriculture are the main sources of income. The Norveg museum, devoted to the coastal way of life through the centuries, is located in Rørvik. The Vikna Wind Farm is located on Mellom-Vikna, just west of Garstad, and it produces power for much of the municipality.

Transportation

Hurtigruten boats stop frequently at Rørvik and Norwegian County Road 770 via the Nærøysund Bridge connects Vikna to the mainland and European route E6. There is also the small Rørvik Airport, Ryum, just south of Rørvik. Vikna and neighbouring Nærøy form a common work area with nearly 10,000 inhabitants.

Notable people
See also: Nærøysund § Notable_people

See also

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 (2018). "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  4. Statistisk sentralbyrå. "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  5. Jukvam, Dag (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå.
  6. "Om Nærøysund kommune" (in Norwegian). Nærøysund kommune. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  7. "Vedtak om grensejustering mellom Nærøy og Fosnes kommuner" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2019-12-30.
  8. Rygh, Oluf (1903). Norske gaardnavne: Nordre Trondhjems amt (in Norwegian) (15 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri.
  9. "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  10. "Vikna, Nord-Trøndelag (Norway)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  11. "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 1988-05-13. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  12. Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (2022-09-20). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 2023-01-01.
  13. "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  14. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Nord-Trøndelag". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  15. "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  16. "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  17. "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  18. "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  19. "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  20. "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  21. "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  22. "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  23. "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  24. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  25. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  26. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  27. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  28. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  29. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  30. Sakshaug, Dagfinn (1996). Oversikt for tiden etter andre verdenskrig (in Norwegian). Steinkjer: Nord-Trøndelag fylkeskommune. p. 272. ISBN 978-82-91316-27-7.
  31. "Ordførere i Vikna fra 1870–1951". Adresseavisen (in Norwegian). 1953-02-14. p. 2.
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