Who were the Dertigers in Afrikaans literature?

The Dertigers (a term meaning "Poets of the '30s") were a group of talented poets who emerged in Afrikaans literature during the 1930s. Their work marked a significant shift in the literary landscape, focusing on formal experimentation and moving away from the more didactic or pastoral traditions of earlier periods.123

The movement was initiated by W.E.G. Louw with his 1934 collection Die ryke dwaas ("The Rich Fool"). His brother, N.P. van Wyk Louw, became the movement's principal theoretician and a master of various forms, including odes, sonnets, and epic poems such as Raka (1941). Other prominent members included:13

• Elisabeth Eybers: Known for verse that evolved from intimate personal confessions to an objective exploration of exile, love, and the craft of poetry.13
• Uys Krige: A writer of romantic and war poetry who was also a playwright and translator.13

The Dertigers' focus on individual expression and experimentation often placed them at odds with conservative Afrikaner society, setting a new standard for Afrikaans literature that influenced subsequent generations of writers.123