Bø, Telemark

Coordinates: 59°27′26″N 9°1′53″E / 59.45722°N 9.03139°E / 59.45722; 9.03139
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This article is about the former municipality in Telemark, Norway. For the village in Midt-Telemark, Norway, see Bø, Midt-Telemark. For other places, see Bø (disambiguation).
Bø Municipality
Bø kommune
Former municipality
View of Bø from the Bø Church churchyard
View of Bø from the Bø Church churchyard
Flag of Bø Municipality
Flag
Coat of arms of Bø Municipality
Coat of arms
Telemark within Norway
Telemark within Norway
Bø within Telemark
Bø within Telemark
Coordinates: 59°27′26″N 9°1′53″E / 59.45722°N 9.03139°E / 59.45722; 9.03139
CountryNorway
CountyTelemark
DistrictMidt-Telemark
Established1 Jan 1838
 • Created asFormannskapsdistrikt
Disestablished1 Jan 2020
 • Succeeded byMidt-Telemark Municipality
Administrative centreBø i Telemark
Government
 • Mayor (2011-2019)Olav Kasland (V)
Area
 (upon dissolution)
 • Total263.20 km2 (101.62 sq mi)
 • Land258.25 km2 (99.71 sq mi)
 • Water4.95 km2 (1.91 sq mi)  1.9%
 • Rank#291 in Norway
Population
 (2019)
 • Total6,630
 • Rank#161 in Norway
 • Density25/km2 (65/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Increase +20.2%
DemonymBøhering[1]
Official language
[2]
 • Norwegian formNynorsk
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-0821[3]
Data from Statistics Norway

Bø is a former municipality in Telemark county, Norway. It was part of the traditional region of Midt-Telemark, but was historically regarded as part of Grenland. The 263-square-kilometre (102 sq mi) municipality existed from 1838 until its dissolution in 2020. The area is now part of Midt-Telemark Municipality. The administrative centre was the village of Bø i Telemark. Other villages in the municipality included Folkestad and Nordbøåsane.

Prior to its dissolution in 2020, the 263-square-kilometre (102 sq mi) municipality was the 291st largest by area out of the 422 municipalities in Norway. Bø was the 161st most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 6,630. The municipality's population density was 25 inhabitants per square kilometre (65/sq mi) and its population had increased by 20.2% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]

Bø's economy was mainly based on agriculture, forestry, tourism, education, and public administration. Bø had the character of a university town and it was home to one of the principal campuses of the University of Southeast Norway; it was also the seat of one of the university's three predecessor institutions, Telemark University College. Bø was well known for its cultural traditions within traditional music and artisanship, and its central position within Norwegian national romanticism (for example, its Bunad traditions). Several times in modern literature Bø had been called "the most beautiful place on earth", such as in Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson's story En glad Gut (A Happy Boy).

General information[edit]

The historic parish of Bø was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). On 1 January 1866, an unpopulated area of Bø was transferred to the neighboring Hollen Municipality. On 1 January 1867, the southern district of Bø (population: 2,257) was separated from Bø to become the new Lunde Municipality. On 1 January 1883, the borders of Bø were moved. An area from neighboring Seljord Municipality (population: 235) and an area from neighboring Hitterdal Municipality (population: 42) were both transferred into Bø. On 1 July 1914, an area of neighboring Sauherad Municipality (population: 27) was transferred to Bø.[6]

On 1 January 2020, Bø Municipality (population: 6,630) was merged with the neighboring Sauherad Municipality (population: 4,293) to form the new Midt-Telemark Municipality.[7]

Name[edit]

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Bø farm (Old Norse: Bœr) since the Old Bø Church was built there. The name is identical with the word bœr which means "homestead" or "farm".[8]

Coat of arms[edit]

The coat of arms was granted on 19 February 1988 and it was in use until 1 January 2020 when Bø became part of Midt-Telemark Municipality. The official blazon is "Gules, three fiddles Or" (Norwegian: På raud grunn tre gull feler, 2-1). This means the arms have a red field (background) and the charge is a set of three fiddles (two over one). 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. Bø is historically known for its musical tradition, as well as the production of fiddles (similar to the hardingfele). The fiddle was thus chosen as an appropriate symbol for the municipality. The arms were designed by Halvor Holtskog, Jr. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[9][10][11]

See also: Coat of arms of Granvin

Churches[edit]

The Church of Norway had one parish (sokn) within the municipality of Bø. It was part of the Øvre Telemark prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Agder og Telemark.

Churches in Bø
Parish (sokn) Church name Location of the church Year built
Bø Bø Church Bø 1875
Old Bø Church Bø c. 1100

Education[edit]

In 1923 the county of Telemark decided to start a secondary school in Bø, the equivalent of today's middle school or "ungdomsskole", called "Telemark Realskole". At this time secondary schools mostly existed in the larger towns and cities, and most youngsters ended their schooling after 7 years around the time they became teenagers. It was the county's intention to expand this school to a high school as soon as practically possible. This happened in 1947, and the school's name was "Telemark Offentlige Landsgymnas". The existence of this school made it possible to establish Telemark College (Distriktshøgskulen i Telemark), which evolved into Telemark University College.

Government[edit]

While it existed, this municipality was responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, unemployment, social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads. During its existence, this municipality was governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor was indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.[12] The municipality was under the jurisdiction of the Telemark District Court and the Agder Court of Appeal.

Municipal council[edit]

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Bø was made up of 25 representatives that were elected to four year terms. The tables below show the historical composition of the council by political party.

Bø kommunestyre 2016–2019 [13][14]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 6
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 2
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet Dei Grøne) 2
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 7
Total number of members:25
Bø kommunestyre 2012–2015 [15]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 5
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 9
Total number of members:25
Bø kommunestyre 2008–2011 [14]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 7
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:25
Bø kommunestyre 2004–2007 [14]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 9
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:25
Bø kommunestyre 2000–2003 [14][16]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 9
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:25
Bø kommunestyre 1996–1999 [17]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 9
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:25
Bø kommunestyre 1992–1995 [18]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 8
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 8
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:25
Bø kommunestyre 1988–1991 [19]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 11
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:25
Bø kommunestyre 1984–1987 [20]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 12
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:25
Bø kommunestyre 1980–1983 [21]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 11
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:25
Bø kommunestyre 1976–1979 [22]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 9
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 6
 Cross-party list (Tverrpolitisk Liste)1
Total number of members:25
Bø kommunestyre 1972–1975 [23]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 11
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 1
Total number of members:25
Bø kommunestyre 1968–1971 [24]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 11
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 6
Total number of members:25
Bø kommunestyre 1964–1967 [25]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 14
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:25
Bø heradsstyre 1960–1963 [26]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 12
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:25
Bø heradsstyre 1956–1959 [27]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 12
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 6
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:25
Bø heradsstyre 1952–1955 [28]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 11
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
Total number of members:24
Bø heradsstyre 1948–1951 [29]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 10
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 6
Total number of members:24
Bø heradsstyre 1945–1947 [30]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 12
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 5
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:24
Bø heradsstyre 1938–1941* [31]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 10
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 9
Total number of members:24
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[edit]

The mayors (Nynorsk: ordførar) of Bø:[32]

  • 1838–1841: Gjermund Halvorsen Eikjarud
  • 1842–1852: Mattis Rye
  • 1853–1853: Gjermund Halvorsen Eikjarud
  • 1854–1855: Gunnulf Halvorsen Borgen
  • 1856–1868: Søren Rollefsen
  • 1868–1873: Halvor Clausen Eika
  • 1874–1887: Halvor Nilsen Tvedten
  • 1888–1891: Halvor K. Eika
  • 1892–1895: Halvor H. Valen
  • 1896–1898: Halvor T. Eika
  • 1899–1915: Gjermund Nilsen Grivi (V)
  • 1915–1919: Olav O. Stadskleiv (V)
  • 1920–1922: Halvor E. Skogen (V)2
  • 1923–1925: Neri Valen (V)
  • 1926–1934: Anund K. Lovald (V)
  • 1935–1940: Hans J. Verpe (V)
  • 1946–1947: Olav K. Hagen (LL)
  • 1948–1951: Anund K. Lovald (V)
  • 1952–1955: Halvor H. Brenne (LL)
  • 1956–1959: Svein Sperrud (LL)
  • 1960–1963: Hans J. Sønstebø (Sp)
  • 1964–1967: Hans Jubskås (LL)
  • 1968–1971: Hallvard Eika (V)
  • 1972–1975: Søren Høibø (V)
  • 1976–1977: Olav Ødegård (V)
  • 1978–1983: Asbjørn Josefsen (Ap)
  • 1984–1991: Gunleik Hynne (Ap)
  • 1991–1995: Asbjørn Josefsen (Ap)
  • 1995–2011: Arne Storhaug (Ap)
  • 2011–2019: Olav Kasland (V)

Attractions[edit]

View of the Old Bø Church (left) and Bø Church (right)

Bø is famous for its waterpark Sommarland (the largest of its kind in Norway). Another tourist site in Bø is the Gygrestol rock formation. There is also Kroa i bø, one of the oldest music venues in Norway. The club won the award for "Concert promoter of the Year 2005" and is based on voluntary work from students of the Telemark University College.

Old Bø Church[edit]

The Old Bø Church dates from ca. 1100. The church is in stone and has 200 seats. It was built in the Romanesque style, with long church plan and choir to the east. The sanctuary, choir loft and the apse are from the Middle Ages, whereas the narthex was built to the 1600s.[33]

Bø Church[edit]

The new Bø Church dates from 1875. The church is wooden and has 450 seats. The church was built in Neo-Gothic style. There are wood carvings on the altarpiece, pulpit, lectern and west gallery.[34]

Gallery[edit]

  • Bø Station
    Bø Station
  • Mølleplassen
    Mølleplassen
  • Farm in Bø
    Farm in Bø
  • Farms in Bø
    Farms in Bø
  • Oterholtfossen
    Oterholtfossen
  • Lifjell
    Lifjell
  • A typical farm house in Børte
    A typical farm house in Børte

Sister cities[edit]

The following cities are twinned with Bø:[35]

Notable people[edit]

Rye Olaf, portrait from 1895

Sport[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  2. ^ "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  3. ^ Bolstad, Erik; Thorsnæs, Geir, eds. (26 January 2023). "Kommunenummer". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget.
  4. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  5. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian).
  6. ^ Jukvam, Dag (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå. ISBN 9788253746845.
  7. ^ Mæhlum, Lars, ed. (15 August 2023). "Midt-Telemark". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  8. ^ Rygh, Oluf (1914). Norske gaardnavne: Bratsbergs amt (in Norwegian) (7 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 197.
  9. ^ "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  10. ^ "Bo, Telemark (Norway)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 19 February 1988. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  12. ^ Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (20 September 2022). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  13. ^ "Kommunestyrevalg 2015 - Telemark". Valg Direktoratet.
  14. ^ a b c d "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  15. ^ "Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Telemark". Valg Direktoratet.
  16. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1999" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 2000. ISBN 8253748531. ISSN 0332-8023.
  17. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. ISBN 8253743351. ISSN 0332-8023.
  18. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. ISBN 8253737939. ISSN 0332-8023.
  19. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. ISBN 8253726325. ISSN 0332-8023.
  20. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. ISBN 8253720378. ISSN 0332-8023.
  21. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. ISBN 8253710836. ISSN 0332-8023.
  22. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. ISBN 8253705646.
  23. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. ISBN 8253701144.
  24. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967.
  25. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964.
  26. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960.
  27. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957.
  28. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952.
  29. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948.
  30. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947.
  31. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938.
  32. ^ Gunnar, Lunde (1972). Bø-soga I: Kultursoga (in Norwegian). Bø, Telemark: Bø kommune. pp. 437–452.
  33. ^ "Bø gamle kyrkje, Bø i Telemark". Den norske kirke. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  34. ^ "Bø kyrkje, Bø i Telemark". Den norske kirke. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  35. ^ "Vennskapskommunar" (in Norwegian). Bø kommune. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2009.

External links[edit]

  • Media related to Bø at Wikimedia Commons
  • The dictionary definition of Bø at Wiktionary
  • Telemark travel guide from Wikivoyage
  • Bø Sommarland waterpark (in Norwegian)
  • Kroa i Bø music venue

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