Siberian Education

"Set in a small and tight-knit community of 'honest criminals' in a remote part of the former Soviet Union, this is a tale of an extreme childhood, exotic, violent and completely unique. Nicolai Lilin gained his 'education' as a member of the Siberian Urkas - a self-contained criminal fraternity - in a forgotten corner of Eastern Europe. It was a remarkable upbringing, defined by an elaborate set of rituals and strict codes of honour. Crime was all pervasive. The community had a deep distrust of outsiders, especially the police and state authorities, and split itself into 'honest' and 'dishonest' criminals. Even their youngest children were taught to understand violence and when it was appropriate to use it. By the age of six Nicolai had been given his first 'pike knife' by an uncle, and by the age of twelve he had been convicted of attempted murder.