about
vers vuur (fresh fire) is a literary festival in the broadest sense of the word. This annual festival by VONK & Zonen brings together literature, music, digital art, and lectures. An unprecedented festival at a sparkling location.
The first edition took place on December 16, 2023, the second on May 25, 2024: both at the Blikfabriek in Hoboken. In 2025, vers vuur burned at De Studio in Antwerp for an extra festive third edition on Friday, June 13, and Saturday, June 14. In 2026, the festival with set De Roma ablaze on the 23rd of May.
vers vuur was born out of the need to bring literature beyond the book. Literature is often only associated with books, which makes other forms such as performance poetry, spoken word, theater, storytelling, and digital literature less visible.
With vers vuur, VONK & Zonen aims to broaden that perspective. We focus on innovation, diversity, and inclusion in the literary world. Alternative forms of literature provide space for new voices and perspectives, often from underrepresented groups, making literature more accessible to a broader audience.
For those who don't often reach for a book, vers vuur can be a first, surprising introduction to literature - and perhaps even a gateway to more. And for seasoned readers, the festival opens the doors to innovative and unexpected ways of experiencing literature.
vers vuur is made possible by De Roma and the Poëziecentrum, both of which are main partners of the festival. Additionally, Literature Flanders, Versopolis, deBuren, Stadsdichter Antwerpen and Creative Europe support the festival program.
Partners
