{"id":50492,"date":"2025-10-09T01:45:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T00:45:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ket.brussels\/?p=50492"},"modified":"2025-10-08T12:49:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T11:49:07","slug":"surrounded-by-criminals-inside-the-secret-tattooed-world-of-the-vory-v-zakone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ket.brussels\/en\/2025\/10\/09\/surrounded-by-criminals-inside-the-secret-tattooed-world-of-the-vory-v-zakone\/","title":{"rendered":"Surrounded by\u00a0Criminals: Inside\u00a0the Secret Tattooed World of the\u00a0Vory v Zakone"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From October 9 to November 9, 2025, Brussels will host \u201c<strong>Surrounded by Criminals,<\/strong>\u201d an evocative photo exhibition by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/wieersnicolas\/\">Belgian artist and filmmaker Nicolas Wie\u00ebrs<\/a>, founder of Balkan Trafik. This unique multi-site event takes visitors deep into the hidden universe of the Vory v Zakone, the \u201cthieves in law\u201d 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 \u2014 and asks bigger questions about crime, stigma, and empathy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bruxelles.be\/surrounded-criminals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"454\" height=\"610\" src=\"https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-133309.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-50494\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-133309.jpg 454w, https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-133309-223x300.jpg 223w, https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-133309-9x12.jpg 9w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 454px) 100vw, 454px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Six Venues, Six Perspectives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exhibition forms a trail through six unconventional Brussels locations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>AGORA Room (Bourse, Boulevard Anspach 80):<\/strong>\u00a0The main part of the collection.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bruxelles.be\/surrounded-criminals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>NATHALIE AUZEPY L&#8217;imp\u00e9ratrice Studio (Rue des Fabriques 12):<\/strong>\u00a0Artistic dialogue with Nathalie Auz\u00e9py, exploring the human body as a space for empathy and memory.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MUE Tattoo Shop &amp; Inksane Tattoo &amp; Piercing:<\/strong>\u00a0Tattoo art as a graphic language, extending the project\u2019s narrative.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.courrierdesbalkans.fr\/Expo-Surrounded-by-criminals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Le Poste (Place du Jeu de Balle 62):<\/strong>\u00a0Documentary and social focus, in a former barracks.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.courrierdesbalkans.fr\/Expo-Surrounded-by-criminals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Brussels Tattoo Convention (Tour &amp; Taxis, Rue Picard 3)<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/tour-taxis.com\/event\/brussels-tattoo-convention\/\">https:\/\/tour-taxis.com\/event\/brussels-tattoo-convention\/<\/a><strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0Thirty portraits showcased for the event\u2019s closing days, November 7\u20139.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bruxelles.be\/surrounded-criminals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Full programme:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bruxelles.be\/surrounded-criminals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bruxelles.be<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.courrierdesbalkans.fr\/Expo-Surrounded-by-criminals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Courrier des Balkans<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.courrierdesbalkans.fr\/Expo-Surrounded-by-criminals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"402\" height=\"613\" src=\"https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-133353.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-50495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-133353.jpg 402w, https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-133353-197x300.jpg 197w, https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-133353-8x12.jpg 8w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 402px) 100vw, 402px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Exhibition Origins and Content<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nicolas Wie\u00ebrs developed the project in Moldova, building relationships and trust within the secretive Vory community in Chi\u0219in\u0103u and Tiraspol. Their tattoos \u2014 symbols of belonging, rank, and history \u2014 serve as living archives, preserving memories of a world that\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"333\" src=\"https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-134236-1024x333.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-50499\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-134236-1024x333.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-134236-300x98.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-134236-768x250.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-134236-18x6.jpg 18w, https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-134236.jpg 1405w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.courrierdesbalkans.fr\/Expo-Surrounded-by-criminals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"430\" src=\"https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-134134-1024x430.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-50498\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-134134-1024x430.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-134134-300x126.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-134134-768x323.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-134134-18x8.jpg 18w, https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-134134.jpg 1402w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Social, Artistic, and Ethical Inquiry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSurrounded by Criminals\u201d is more than a documentary: it\u2019s an invitation to rethink notions of crime, exclusion, and justice. Wie\u00ebrs urges visitors to look past stereotypes, considering the ambiguous line between marginalized ex-convicts and powerful \u201crespectable\u201d offenders at the heart of society. The project asks: Who are the \u201creal\u201d criminals today \u2014 those on the outskirts, or those in privileged positions who evade consequence?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the month-long exhibition, and especially the four opening nights, each venue will host immersive events connected to the Vory v Zakone\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"456\" height=\"616\" src=\"https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-133432.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-50496\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-133432.jpg 456w, https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-133432-222x300.jpg 222w, https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-133432-9x12.jpg 9w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 456px) 100vw, 456px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Useful links:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Full itinerary and schedule:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bruxelles.be\/surrounded-criminals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bruxelles.be<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bruxelles.be\/surrounded-criminals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Project background:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.courrierdesbalkans.fr\/Expo-Surrounded-by-criminals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Courrier des Balkans<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.courrierdesbalkans.fr\/Expo-Surrounded-by-criminals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Brussels Tattoo Convention:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tattooconvention.be\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tour &amp; Taxis<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bruxelles.be\/surrounded-criminals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>This exhibition offers a rare window onto Europe\u2019s disappearing criminal brotherhoods and a powerful reflection on society\u2019s shifting boundaries of inclusion and exclusion.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bruxelles.be\/surrounded-criminals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"460\" height=\"621\" src=\"https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-133941.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-50497\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-133941.jpg 460w, https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-133941-222x300.jpg 222w, https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Capture-decran-2025-10-08-133941-9x12.jpg 9w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 460px) 100vw, 460px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From October 9 to November 9, 2025, Brussels will host \u201cSurrounded by Criminals,\u201d an evocative<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":50493,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,26,28,1131,8],"tags":[129,81,128,78,72,73,64,67,759,61],"series":[],"class_list":["post-50492","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-artist","category-exhibition","category-festival","category-international","category-photography","tag-brussel","tag-brussels","tag-bruxelles","tag-community","tag-gay","tag-lesbian","tag-lgbt","tag-lgbtqia","tag-photography","tag-queer"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v20.3 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Surrounded by\u00a0Criminals: Inside\u00a0the Secret Tattooed World of the\u00a0Vory v Zakone -<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, 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