Zagreb Under Siege for Thompson’s Concert: Half a Million Fans, Ustasha Symbols, and Police on High Alert!
This weekend, Zagreb became the epicenter of the biggest musical and political drama in Croatia. Marko Perković Thompson, the controversial folk-rock singer known for his nationalist and pro-Nazi views, drew nearly half a million people to the city’s hippodrome. Yes, you read that right – half a million! So many people that the city put 12 hospitals on alert, deployed thousands of police officers, and set up a field hospital with 50 beds.
Who is Thompson and why is he such a problem?
Thompson is not just a singer. He is a symbol of the Croatian right-wing, known for glorifying the Ustasha regime from World War II, responsible for the persecution and murder of hundreds of thousands of Serbs, Jews, Roma, and anti-fascist Croats. His songs often start with fascist slogans, and Ustasha symbols are common at his concerts. Although banned in several countries, he remains a megastar in Croatia.
His manager claims the concert is not a political gathering but a musical event, while Zagreb’s mayor refused to ban the performance, saying it would be counterproductive. Critics warn of growing tolerance for the pro-Nazi past in Croatia and inadequate government response to the use of Ustasha symbols.
Young fans and patriotism or something else?
Interestingly, a third of the audience is under 28 years old. Many young people, like 22-year-old student Nikola, say they do not support the Ustasha chants and see the songs as reflecting wartime, not glorifying fascism. Historians like Hrvoje Klasić believe most fans see Thompson as a patriot promoting traditional values like faith, family, and homeland.
Spectacle and chaos in Zagreb
The concert started with fireworks, and the atmosphere was electric, like New Year’s Eve. Thousands sang his songs late into the night, and traffic was in chaos.
What do the media and international community say?
French agency AFP and portal France24 published articles calling Thompson a singer with pro-Nazi views and reminded readers of the shameful NDH period. The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a well-known Jewish human rights organization, accused Thompson of glorifying genocide.
Conclusion: Croatia at a Crossroads
While half a million people gather to celebrate Thompson, Croatia faces serious questions about its past and future. Is this just a concert or a dangerous normalization of fascist symbols? Do young people truly understand what they support? And how will the government respond to rising tensions?
If you thought music was just entertainment, think again. This concert is much more – it’s a mirror of a society that cannot escape its dark past.
What about you? Do you think Thompson is just a singer or a dangerous symbol? Drop a comment, spark a debate, or just enjoy the chaos – but don’t say you weren’t warned!
