Zagreb Says NO to Massive Concerts!
Zagreb’s mayor, Tomislav Tomašević, has made it crystal clear: as long as he’s in charge, massive concerts like Marko Perković Thompson’s won’t be happening on public grounds anymore. Rumors about Thompson performing at Arena Zagreb on December 27th were quickly shot down by concert manager Zdravko Barišić. The arena had no bookings for that date, and organizers confirmed there will be no concert.
Police and Concert Organization at the Hippodrome
Thompson’s concert at Zagreb’s Hippodrome drew around half a million people, creating huge logistical and security challenges. Organizers proudly claimed they handled everything smoothly, while police isolated a few incidents involving illegal symbols and public order disturbances. Still, no serious incidents occurred.
Safety and Criticism
Interior Minister Davor Božinović praised the concert’s organization, calling it a rarely seen spectacle. However, Mayor Tomašević expressed dissatisfaction after the event due to the lack of condemnation of Ustaša salutes and symbolism, announcing he won’t allow similar events in the future.
Sinj Prepares for an Even Bigger Spectacle
Following Zagreb, Thompson plans a concert in Sinj on August 4th, with 150,000 tickets already on sale and most sold out. Sinj’s mayor, Miro Bulj, hopes security will be as tight as in Zagreb and urged everyone to look out for each other. This is expected to be the largest gathering in Sinj and the Cetina region’s history.
What Does Zagreb’s Mayor Say?
Tomašević clearly stated he won’t approve commercial events with more than 1,000 attendees on public grounds. There’s also consideration to limit such events on private properties. This decision came after analyzing all concert aspects, including safety and impact on citizens’ lives.
Conclusion
Zagreb is gearing up for a new era without massive concerts like Thompson’s, while Sinj prepares for a spectacle that might surpass all previous ones. Safety, politics, and public order are front and center, and Mayor Tomašević doesn’t want a repeat of Zagreb’s experience. Will Sinj manage to hold the concert without issues? What do you think about this decision? Is it time to move massive concerts out of city centers, or are they the heart of cultural life? Drop a comment and let the conversation roll!
