'Surrounded by Criminals' Exhibition by Belgian Artist Nicolas Wieërs Opens in Europe House, Sarajevo

The multimedia and photographic exhibition titled "Surrounded by Criminals - But Some Are More So Than Others" by acclaimed Belgian artist, filmmaker, and cultural producer Nicolas Wieërs has officially opened at the Europe House in Sarajevo. The exhibition uses a socio-documentary approach to offer a rare and raw insight into the secretive world of the Vory v Zakone ("Thieves in Law") criminal fraternity in Moldova.

During the opening of the exhibition, Ferdinand Koenig, Head of Communications and Spokesperson of the EU in Bosnia and Herzegovina, addressed the attendees, highlighting the vital role of contemporary art in creating spaces for dialogue on human rights and social accountability: "The concept of "Vory v Zakone" - the 'thieves in law' is both very specific to the post-Soviet world, but also provides fascinating perspectives to reflect on society here in the Western Balkans, as well as more widely. These "thieves in law" emerged from the merciless brutality of the Soviet prison system over many decades, developing a specific language, behavioural code, and tattoos. Clearly, these are not people to be glamourised. Nonetheless, their subculture opens up many topical questions, including on human rights and prison reform".

The exhibition is the result of years of anthropological and artistic research by Nicolas Wieërs, who, during his five years of living in Moldova, succeeded in building a unique relationship of trust with members of this closely guarded subculture. "For several years, I immersed myself in the daily lives of former members of the Vory v Zakone to document, beyond their tattoos, the stories of men whom society has stopped seeing. This exhibition is not a fascination with crime, but an invitation to question our assumptions about justice, exclusion, and the true forms of criminality that surround us," remarked the author.

The installation, previously exhibited in Brussels, Chișinău and Florence, features a selection of over 130 striking black-and-white photographic portraits, short videos, original drawings, and audio recordings, focusing heavily on the complex, coded language of Soviet prison tattoos. The author of the exhibition is also known as the founder of the renowned Balkan Trafik! festival in Brussels, which for nearly two decades has promoted cultural diplomacy, combated xenophobia, and connected communities from South-East Europe with the rest of the continent.

The exhibition "Surrounded by Criminals - But Some Are More So Than Others" will be open to visitors at Europe House Sarajevo (Maršala Tita 62) until 10 August, every working day from 09:00 to 17:00.