Editing Siljan, Norway

{{short description|Municipality in Telemark, Norway}}
{{Infobox kommune
|name                   = Siljan
|native_name            = 
|native_name_lang       = 
|other_name             = 
|former_name            = Slemdal herred
|image_skyline          = Fv702 Høisetbakkane.jpg
|image_caption          = View of the Høisetbakkane area
|idnumber               = 4010
|county                 = Telemark
|district               = Grenland
|capital                = [[Siljan (village)|Siljan]]
|established            = 1 Jan 1838
|preceded               = none
|demonym                = 
|language               = Neutral
|coatofarms             = Siljan komm.svg
|flag                   = 
|webpage                = www.siljan.kommune.no
|mayor                  = Elisabeth Hammer
|mayor_party            = [[Christian Democratic Party (Norway)|KrF]]
|mayor_as_of            = 2023
|area_rank              = 299
|area_total_km2         = 213.95
|area_land_km2          = 202.21
|area_water_km2         = 11.74
|area_water_percent     = 5.5
|population_as_of       = 2023
|population_rank        = 261
|population_total       = 2375
|population_density_km2 = 11.7
|population_increase    = -2.1
|coordinates            = {{coord|59|17|51|N|9|42|23|E|region:NO|display=inline,title}}
|utm_zone = 32V | utm_northing = 6573399 | utm_easting = 0540239 | geo_cat = adm2nd
}}

'''Siljan''' is a [[List of municipalities of Norway|municipality]] in [[Telemark]] county, [[Norway]]. It is located in the [[Traditional districts of Norway|traditional district]] of [[Grenland]]. The [[administrative centre]] of the municipality is the village of [[Siljan (village)|Siljan]]. Other villages in Siljan include [[Snurråsen]] and Øverbø.<ref name="snl">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Siljan |encyclopedia=[[Store norske leksikon]] |publisher=[[Kunnskapsforlaget]] |url=https://snl.no/Siljan |date=2023-08-15 |editor-last=Nilsen |editor-first=Jan Erik |language=no |editor2-last=Lundbo |editor2-first=Sten |accessdate=2023-09-24}}</ref>

The {{convert|214|km2|adj=on}} municipality is the 299th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Siljan is the 261st most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 2,375. The municipality's [[population density]] is {{convert|11.7|PD/km2}} and its population has decreased by 2.1% over the previous 10-year period.<ref name="ssb pop">{{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}}</ref><ref name="ssb area">{{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}}</ref>

The older main road that connects the cities of [[Skien (town)|Skien]], [[Larvik (town)|Larvik]], and [[Oslo]] passes through Siljan.

==General information==
The [[prestegjeld|parish]] of ''Slemdal'' (later renamed ''Siljan'') was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see [[formannskapsdistrikt]] law). During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the [[Schei Committee]]. On 1 January 1964, a small area (population: 16) of [[Hedrum|Hedrum Municipality]] in [[Vestfold]] county was transferred to Siljan Municipality in Telemark county. Again on 1 January 1968, the unpopulated Svartangen area was transferred from Hedrum to Siljan.<ref name="Dag">{{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=[[Statistics Norway|Statistisk sentralbyrå]] |language=no |isbn=9788253746845}}</ref>

===Name===
The municipality (originally the [[prestegjeld|parish]]) was originally named ''Slemdal'', after the local valley ({{langx|non|Sleimdalr}}). The first element is likely the old name of a river, the meaning of which is uncertain. The last element is {{wikt-lang|non|dalr}} which means "[[valley]]" or "dale".<ref>{{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 |page=93 |language=no |authorlink=Oluf Rygh}}</ref>

On 3 November 1917, a [[royal decree|royal resolution]] changed the name of the municipality to ''Siljan''.<ref>{{Cite journal |year=1917 |title=Norsk Lovtidende. 2den Afdeling. 1917. Samling af Love, Resolutioner m.m |url=https://www.nb.no/items/URN:NBN:no-nb_digitidsskrift_2015102381014_001 |journal=[[Norsk Lovtidend]] |language=no |location=Kristiania, Norge |publisher=Grøndahl og Søns Boktrykkeri |pages=1057–1065}}</ref> This name comes from the old ''[[Siljan (village)|Siljan]]'' farm ({{langx|non|Seljur}}) since the first [[Siljan Church]] was built there. The name's meaning is uncertain, but it is likely that it comes from the [[plura]] form of {{wikt-lang|non|selja}} which means "sallow tree" or "[[willow]]".<ref name="snl" />

===Coat of arms===
The [[coat of arms]] was granted on 16 June 1989. The official [[blazon]] is ''"[[Vert (heraldry)|Vert]], three saw blades [[argent]] [[palewise]] [[fess|in fess]]"'' ({{langx|no|I grønt tre opprette sølv sagblad}}). This means the arms have a green [[field (heraldry)|field]] (background) and the [[charge (heraldry)|charge]] is a set of three [[saw]] blades standing vertically in a horizontal row. The charge has a [[tincture (heraldry)|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 saw blade design symbolize the importance of the [[timber industry]] in Siljan. This type of saw blade was used locally throughout history. There were many saw mills located in Siljan along its waterways. The arms were designed by Halvor Holtskog, Jr. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen |url=https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Siljan |access-date=2023-09-26 |publisher=Heraldry of the World}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Siljan, Telemark (Norway) |url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/no-08-11.html |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=Flags of the World}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1989-09-09 |title=Godkjenning av våpen og flagg |url=https://lovdata.no/dokument/LF/forskrift/1989-06-16-584 |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=Lovdata.no |publisher=Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet |language=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Siljan kommune, våpen |url=https://foto.digitalarkivet.no/fotoweb/archives/5003-Kommunev%C3%A5pen/Kart%20og%20tegninger%20og%20segl/he10081205030423.tif.info#c=%2Ffotoweb%2Farchives%2F5003-Kommunev%25C3%25A5pen%2F%3Fq%3Dsiljan |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=Digitalarkivet |publisher=Arkivverket |language=no}}</ref>

===Churches===
The [[Church of Norway]] has one parish ({{lang|no|sokn}}) within the municipality of Siljan. It is part of the [[Skien prosti]] ([[deanery]]) in the [[Diocese of Agder og Telemark]].

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ style="font-size:medium"|'''''Churches in Siljan'''''
!Parish ({{lang|no|sokn}})!!Church name!!Location of the church!!Year built
|-
|rowspan="1"|Siljan||[[Siljan Church]]||[[Snurråsen]]||c. 1200
|}

==Government==
Siljan Municipality is responsible for [[primary education]] (through 10th grade), outpatient [[Health care|health services]], [[old age|senior citizen]] services, [[welfare spending|welfare]] and other [[Social work|social services]], [[zoning]], [[economic development]], and municipal [[road]]s and utilities. The municipality is governed by a [[Municipal council (Norway)|municipal council]] of [[Direct election|directly elected]] representatives. The [[mayor]] is [[Indirect election|indirectly elected]] by a vote of the municipal council.<ref name="ks">{{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}}</ref> The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the [[Telemark District Court]] and the [[Agder Court of Appeal]].

===Mayors===
{{incomplete list|date=September 2023}}
The [[Mayor#Scandinavia|mayors]] ({{langx|no|ordfører}}) of Siljan (incomplete list):
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*1991-2007: Finn Tallakstad ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*2007-2011: Ole Kristian Holtan ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*2011-2015: Gunn Berit Rygg Holmelid ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*2015-2023: Kjell Abraham Sølverød ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*2023-present: Elisabeth Hammer ([[Christian Democratic Party (Norway)|KrF]])<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-09-24 |title=Ny ordfører i Siljan |url=https://www.nrk.no/vestfoldogtelemark/ny-ordforer-i-siljan-1.16569402 |access-date=2024-01-29 |work=[[NRK]] |language=no}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

===Municipal council===
The [[Municipal council (Norway)|municipal council]] {{lang|no|(Kommunestyre)}} of Siljan 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 [[Political party|party]]. 
{{div col}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|start                     = 2023
|end                       = 2027
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Telemark |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2023/ko/telemark/siljan#seats |access-date=2024-01-29 |publisher=[[Valgdirektoratet]]}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = 
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 5
|Høyre                     = 5
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|start                     = 2019
|end                       = 2023
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Vestfold og Telemark |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2019/ko/vestfold%20og%20telemark/siljan#seats |access-date=2023-09-23 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 6
|Høyre                     = 2
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|start                     = 2015
|end                       = 2019
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2015 - Telemark |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2015/ko/telemark/siljan#seats |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}</ref><ref name="ssb valg">{{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}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 6
|Høyre                     = 2
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|start                     = 2011
|end                       = 2015
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Telemark |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2011/ko/telemark/siljan#seats |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 10
|H/KrF                     = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|start                     = 2007
|end                       = 2011
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|H/KrF/V                   = 6
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|start                     = 2003
|end                       = 2007
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 10
|Høyre                     = 1
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 1
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|start                     = 1999
|end                       = 2003
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" /><ref>{{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}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|H/KrF/Sp                  = 6
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|start                     = 1995
|end                       = 1999
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1996 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1995 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c342.pdf |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |format=PDF |isbn=8253743351 |issn=0332-8023 |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Høyre                     = 2
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|start                     = 1991
|end                       = 1995
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1993 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1991 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c057.pdf |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |format=PDF |isbn=8253737939 |issn=0332-8023 |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 7
|H/KrF/Sp                  = 8
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|start                     = 1987
|end                       = 1991
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1988 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1987 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b765.pdf |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |format=PDF |isbn=8253726325 |issn=0332-8023 |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|H/KrF/Sp/V                = 9
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|start                     = 1983
|end                       = 1987
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1984 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1983 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b450.pdf |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |format=PDF |isbn=8253720378 |issn=0332-8023 |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 11
|Høyre                     = 2
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|start                     = 1979
|end                       = 1983
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1979 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1979 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b093.pdf |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |format=PDF |isbn=8253710836 |issn=0332-8023 |location=Oslo, Norge}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|H/Sp/V                    = 6
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|start                     = 1975
|end                       = 1979
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1977 |title=Kommunevalgene 1975 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a769.pdf |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |format=PDF |isbn=8253705646 |location=Oslo, Norge}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|H/Sp/V                    = 6
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|start                     = 1971
|end                       = 1975
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1973 |title=Kommunevalgene 1972 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a457.pdf |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |format=PDF |isbn=8253701144 |location=Oslo, Norge |volume=I}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 10
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|start                     = 1967
|end                       = 1971
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1967 |title=Kommunevalgene 1967 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a214.pdf |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |format=PDF |location=Oslo, Norge |volume=I}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 3
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|start                     = 1963
|end                       = 1967
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1964 |title=Kommunevalgene 1963 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_138.pdf |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |format=PDF |location=Oslo, Norge}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 11
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1959
|end                       = 1963
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1960 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_022.pdf |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |format=PDF |location=Oslo, Norge}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 3
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1955
|end                       = 1959
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1957 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_252.pdf |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |format=PDF |location=Oslo, Norge}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 4
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 5
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1951
|end                       = 1955
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1952 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_120.pdf |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |format=PDF |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 16
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Senterpartiet             = 3
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1947
|end                       = 1951
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1948 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_x_165.pdf |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |format=PDF |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 16
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 7
|Senterpartiet             = 3
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1945
|end                       = 1947
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1947 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_x_133.pdf |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |format=PDF |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 16
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 7
|Senterpartiet             = 1
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Venstre                   = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Siljan
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1937
|end                       = 1940* 
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1938 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_ix_133.pdf |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |format=PDF |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 16
|Venstre                   = 7
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 3
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 6
|}}
{{div col end}}

== Notable people ==
* [[Kristian Norheim]] (born 1976), a Norwegian politician who was a municipal councillor in Siljan from 1995 to 1999

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline|Siljan}}
*[http://ssb.no/kommunefakta/siljan Municipal fact sheet] from [[Statistics Norway]] {{in lang|no}}
*{{Wikivoyage inline|Telemark}}

{{Telemark}}
{{Authority control}}
{{use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}

[[Category:Siljan, Norway| ]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Telemark]]
[[Category:1838 establishments in Norway]]