Tattoofest – From Passion to Tattoo Community. My brief story of the convention is simple. I remember the very first edition of Tattoofest like it was yesterday. The year was 2006, the venue: Rotunda, a small student club in Kraków. Just 27 artists and a huge need to simply meet face to face. No fireworks, but a ton of passion. We did it because we wanted to – me and a few people who felt tattooing deserved more than just a niche.

I didn’t have a big budget, no PR team. What I had was passion, energy, and the strong belief that tattooing should have its own space – visible, accessible, open.

From day one, I wasn’t interested in creating a classic tattoo convention. I wanted to build a place where tattooing wouldn’t be treated like some shady “alternative,” or worse, something linked to crime. I wanted something with quality, safety, and roots in the broader language of art. A meeting space – not just for artists, but for people who think alike. People looking for connection, quality, meaning. For me, a tattoo is more than decoration – it’s a statement, a choice, a relationship.

What’s changed – and what hasn’t

Over time, Tattoofest grew. We changed locations, expanded the program, added new zones, workshops, concerts, panels, and started collaborating with the city and cultural institutions. We began conversations with brands that understand the real value of this scene.

But no matter how it looks from the outside – at its core, it’s still driven by the same impulse. I want it to be personal, real, stripped of ego. And I think that’s what people feel. Especially when someone walks up to me and says, “I didn’t get a tattoo today, but I’m glad I came.” That’s when I know we’re doing something right.

For many years now, we’ve hosted around 500 tattoo artists from around the world at each edition. A few thousand people attend the festival every year – some leave with fresh, unique tattoos, others just come for the vibe, bringing their families and spending the weekend with us. And we always make sure there’s more than just tattooing to experience. See for yourself: HERE

Tattoofest 2025 – What We’re Planning

We’ll meet again on June 7–8, 2025 at EXPO Kraków. My team from Sztorm, as always, is involved in organizing – from communication and programming to the behind-the-scenes details that shape the atmosphere.

This year, we’re focusing on quality. On smart growth. On people, not just big names. There will be great artists, deep conversations, strong emotions. But most of all – there will be that atmosphere. The one you can’t copy or fully describe. You have to come and feel it.

If you believe tattooing is about more than just the design – we’ll see you at Tattoofest 2025.

Radosław Błaszczyński

Sztorm CREW