Surrounded by Criminals: Inside the Secret Tattooed World of the Vory v Zakone

From October 9 to November 9, 2025, Brussels will host “Surrounded by Criminals,” an evocative photo exhibition by Belgian artist and filmmaker Nicolas Wieërs, founder of Balkan Trafik. This unique multi-site event takes visitors deep into the hidden universe of the Vory v Zakone, the “thieves in law” once at the heart of the post-Soviet underworld. Through the stories inscribed on their tattooed bodies, the show lifts the veil on the journeys of men living on the margins — and asks bigger questions about crime, stigma, and empathy.

Six Venues, Six Perspectives

The exhibition forms a trail through six unconventional Brussels locations:

• AGORA Room (Bourse, Boulevard Anspach 80): The main part of the collection.
• NATHALIE AUZEPY L’impératrice Studio (Rue des Fabriques 12): Artistic dialogue with Nathalie Auzépy, exploring the human body as a space for empathy and memory.
• MUE Tattoo Shop & Inksane Tattoo & Piercing: Tattoo art as a graphic language, extending the project’s narrative.
• Le Poste (Place du Jeu de Balle 62): Documentary and social focus, in a former barracks.
• Brussels Tattoo Convention (Tour & Taxis, Rue Picard 3)https://tour-taxis.com/event/brussels-tattoo-convention/: Thirty portraits showcased for the event’s closing days, November 7–9.

Full programme: Bruxelles.be, Courrier des Balkans.

Exhibition Origins and Content

Nicolas Wieërs developed the project in Moldova, building relationships and trust within the secretive Vory community in Chișinău and Tiraspol. Their tattoos — symbols of belonging, rank, and history — serve as living archives, preserving memories of a world that’s fading away. The show presents 140 black-and-white prints with captions detailing the stories and symbols, 10 subtitled video interviews, and 10 drawn portraits by Yuri Palkov, extending the visual narrative.

A Social, Artistic, and Ethical Inquiry

“Surrounded by Criminals” is more than a documentary: it’s an invitation to rethink notions of crime, exclusion, and justice. Wieërs urges visitors to look past stereotypes, considering the ambiguous line between marginalized ex-convicts and powerful “respectable” offenders at the heart of society. The project asks: Who are the “real” criminals today — those on the outskirts, or those in privileged positions who evade consequence?

During the month-long exhibition, and especially the four opening nights, each venue will host immersive events connected to the Vory v Zakone’s visual and cultural world. Developed by 1001 Valises, the nonprofit behind Balkan Trafik, the show uses photography as a bridge between the Balkans and Belgium, expanding on 20 years of cross-cultural artistic exploration.

Useful links:

• Full itinerary and schedule: Bruxelles.be
• Project background: Courrier des Balkans
• Brussels Tattoo Convention: Tour & Taxis

This exhibition offers a rare window onto Europe’s disappearing criminal brotherhoods and a powerful reflection on society’s shifting boundaries of inclusion and exclusion.