ABSTRACT
The most characteristic trait of the European 'avant-garde' movements of the first half of the 20th century resides in the link they established between formal revolution and political revolution. Liberals, Catholics and Socialists, divided moreover according to their linguistic affiliation, share between themselves not only most of the available political representation, but also most of the power in community life, trades union, insurance and therefore in the cultural sphere. A young Belgian born in a Socialist hospital, who goes to a state school, is dependent on Socialist insurance and receives his unemployment benefit from a Socialist trades union, can live this situation with no inference as to his political convictions. Most of the political organizations claiming working class legitimacy organized big demonstrations and impressive parades. For obvious reasons, there is no francophone equivalent, with the exception of political theatre.
