Ryfylke Folkehøgskule was started in 1912. It was on the island of Ombo. The following year the school moved to Sand. After two years in Ungdomtunet and then five years in the old school building on the beach town, the folk high school was able to move into their own houses in 1920. The new school town was named Rygjatun.
For 80 years, folk high schools filled these buildings. One stop there was in the last year of the war, 1944-45. At that time, almost all the People's High Schools closed their doors after German plans on the forced mobilization of young people were uncovered.
The bautasteinen, which stands in the centre of the yard, is in memory of Bernhard Håvardsholm, who was a school steward in 1940. He was very active in the resistance. He made it over to England and was active in Kompani Linge. More often than not, he traveled across the North Sea and organized resistance groups in Ryfylke and other towns. After accomplished mission in November 1941, he travelled back towards Shetland with M/B Blia. The boat sank and all aboard perished. Previous students erected the memorial stone.
Folkehøgskulen had varying student numbers throughout the year. The big time was in the 1960s. Then Ryfylke Folkehøgskule was able to use a sprawling new building with a gymnasium, swimming pool, two large formation halls, classrooms and a new boarding department.
A few years later, in 1970, a new building was built with a boarding house, teachers' quarters, library and fireplace shelters, and in 1990 came what had long been called the new boarding house. The buildings of the 1960s and 1970s are now history. They had to give way when new, modern buildings were erected and put into use in 2025.
"Jamvel om mykje er nytt, har det rotfeste i same jorda"
After the development in 1964, the school became a sports centre in the village. Folkehøgskulen started with a popular sports line. In the gym, IL Sand played volleyball matches and made this sport the most popular sport on Sand. In the pool, the swimming group of the sports team had their training sessions, and many teams and groups had activities in the hall and pool.
Rygjatun was elles the major cultural center in Suldal before the municipality fekk eige kulturhus. It was to Rygjatun that Riksteatret, Rikskonsertane, Riksgalerie and Folkeakademie came with their events, Rogaland Ungdomslag, the sports circuit and others attended classes and gatherings here, and all their own festivals and open events were thickened.
Friends of the Folk High School thought it was a pity when the school closed its doors in 2000, but today they are very happy that lively, happy young people fill the halls at Rygjatun.
Ingvar Olimstad
Former teacher and principal at Ryfylke Folkehøgskule
