The EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina has opened a multimedia exhibition titled "Surrounded by Criminals – But Some Are More So Than Others" by Belgian artist Nicolas Wieërs at Europe House in Sarajevo, running until 10 August 2026. The exhibition offers a socio-documentary insight into the Vory v Zakone ("Thieves in Law") criminal fraternity in Moldova, featuring over 130 black-and-white photographic portraits, videos, drawings, and audio recordings that decode the coded language of Soviet prison tattoos.
At the opening on 15 July 2026, Ferdinand Koenig, Head of Communications and Spokesperson of the EU in Bosnia and Herzegovina, said the concept of "thieves in law" is specific to the post-Soviet world but also provides perspectives to reflect on society in the Western Balkans, raising questions on human rights and prison reform. Wieërs, who lived in Moldova for five years and built trust with former members of the subculture, stated the 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." The exhibition was previously shown in Brussels, Chișinău, and Florence. Wieërs is also founder of the Balkan Trafik! festival in Brussels, which promotes cultural diplomacy and combats xenophobia.