Imagine this scene: half a million people, traveling thousands of kilometers from all over Croatia, Europe, and even other continents, all gathered in Zagreb for Marko Perković Thompson’s mega concert! Yes, you read that right – half a million! Such a massive crowd gathered at the hippodrome, wearing black shirts with Thompson’s image, waving Croatian flags, singing his hits to exhaustion. The atmosphere? Pure ecstasy, flares blazing, people jumping, crying, hugging, while messages of love for the homeland, family, and returning to roots echoed from the stage. But it wasn’t all perfect. The sound system caused issues – some complained about sound delays and poor acoustics, somewhat spoiling the experience. The crowds were enormous, with traffic jams on Zagreb’s approaches, avenue closures, and tram line disruptions, forcing police intervention to maintain order. Emergency services had several interventions, mostly due to excessive alcohol consumption and heatstroke. Still, no major incidents occurred, and police mostly assisted attendees rather than punishing them. Fans came from all over Croatia and abroad – from New York to Switzerland – sharing stories of waiting months to get tickets and how Thompson is their favorite singer. The organization was top-notch, with special traffic regimes, extra buses, and security. But was this concert just a spectacle or a political event? Thompson is known for his patriotic and sometimes controversial songs, and flags with the slogan ‘Za dom spremni’ were visible, sparking mixed reactions. While some celebrate unity and love for the homeland, others warn of potential tensions and political messages. Regardless, this event showed how popular Thompson is and how many people want to gather and sing his songs. If you were there or have your own opinion about this concert, feel free to share – was it truly a spectacle or just another chaotic event with lots of noise and flares?
