Dyrskuplassen

If anything shows community spirit in Seljord it is the agricultural fair which has been arranged for 130 years. Seljord plays host to more than 60,000 visitors for three days in September. You will have to look pretty hard to find another festival like ours this far north!

Dyrskuplassen is located in Seljord, Telemark. Annually approximately 200 000 visits the 40 acres vast fairground. The largest events are Dyrsku’n in September, Country festival and Seljord festival – two music festivals arranged in July.

Dyrsku’n could celebrate 150 years in 2016, and there is an extraordinary and interesting story laying underneath. A story of a hub, which throughout the years has been a place for innovation, trading and culture dissemination. Dyrsku’n aims to be a national lighthouse, focusing on important issues related to food and agriculture. Dyrsku’n has been an arena for innovation since 1866 and will hopefully continue to be so for the upcoming 150 years as well.

The founding of Dyrsku’n was a part of a national strategy to increase the food supplies in Norway, for a highly increasing population. The farmers had little knowledge concerning their livestock, and the production pr. cattle was somewhat limited. The government considered the breeding around the country was not at all at a satisfying level. These reasons combined with livestock competitions, where only the premium cattle won prestigious prizes, was the beginning of Dyrsku’n. After establishing the fair, there was a remarkable change for the better in the livestock population.

The application of founding Dyrsku’n in Seljord, was governed by the Ministry, and thereafter through a royal decree, to a final approval at the Parliament 28. November 1865. In February 1866, the Parliament granted 300 Species (NOK 58.500,- in modern currency) for management and operation of the fair in Seljord, and 750 Species (NOK 146.250,-) for the construction of a barn at the fairground.

Dyrsku'n today
Dyrsku’n has approximately 90.000 visitors and over 800 exhibitors during the 3 days in September. The visitors originate from all over Norway, but also have some international guests and exhibitors visiting us every year.
At Dyrsku’n you will find traditional agricultural suppliers, food producers and handicrafts, alongside the newest technology displayed by national suppliers from the agricultural and construction industry. Traditions and innovation walks hand in hand at the fair, and this, combined with the great variety of exhibitions and visitors, are truly the heart and soul at Dyrsku’n.

You will find the Farmers venue, in Norwegian “Møt Landbruket” (Meet the Norwegian Agriculture) at Husdyrhallen. Here you can get a first-hand knowledge from the producers or national organisations themselves. Outside Husdyrhallen, you will find a tent with a long list of debates and lectures all day long, in cooperation with Tun Media (Media house) and Bondelaget in Telemark (Farmers association).

You can visit our food court with an impressive size of 1350 m2 where they offer a wide range of local food suppliers. Here you can taste and smell exquisite culinary treats from locally produced items from the whole country. Buy a little something for yourself and bring the produce back home for later consumption.

At Sterke Nils-tunet, you can experience farming the old-fashioned way, by watching old machinery, churning their own butter or see how to produce cheese by hand.

Along all these venues, do not forget a visit at the livestock competitions, the equestrian exhibitors, the fun fair, concerts or the atmosphere in general!

Events in 2020
22.-23. mai Vårmarknad (Antiques and classic cars)
28.-31. mai Pinsestemne Norsk Islandshestforening (Icelandic Equestrian event)
1.-5. juli Seljordfestivalen (Music festival)
22.-26. juli Countryfestivalen Seljord (The largest northern country festival)
11.-13. september Dyrsku’n 2020