Vormen group

The Vormen group was a Flemish literary movement that emerged in the 1930s, characterized by its "personalistic" poets. This group reacted against the preceding Expressionist movement, which had emphasized ethics over aesthetics and the art of the community over the individual. While Expressionism found its outlet in lyrical poetry and drama, with notable figures like Paul van Ostaijen experimenting with form and pure poetry, the Vormen group shifted the focus. By 1930, the novel had gained prominence, moving towards psychological themes and stylistic refinement, as seen in the works of authors like Maurice Gilliams and Gerard Walschap. The Vormen group's emphasis on personalism marked a new tone in Flemish literature, focusing on individual experience and expression.1