Welcome to a world where music isn’t just entertainment, but a political battlefield! Marko Perković Thompson, the controversial Croatian singer known for songs glorifying the Ustasha regime, drew around half a million people to the Zagreb hippodrome. Yes, you read that right – half a million! Among them were many famous Croatian athletes, including the national football team coach Zlatko Dalić and player Mateo Kovačić, openly showing enthusiasm for songs that start with the Ustasha salute “Za dom spremni” (For the Homeland – Ready!).
But wait, there’s more! Thompson’s concerts are banned in Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Slovenia due to accusations of promoting neo-Nazism and Ustasha ideology. Yet, in Croatia, these concerts go on as if it’s perfectly normal. Songs like “Jasenovac and Gradiška Stara” are sung without censorship, and the history of the NDH and Operation Storm, which led to the deaths and expulsion of thousands of Serbs, is glorified on stage.
How is it possible that athletes, who should be role models, not only attend but celebrate such events? Is it ignorance, or something far darker? While the world condemns these symbols of hate, in Croatia, they are celebrated as part of national identity. And while Thompson is described as a promoter of neo-Nazism, his fans continue to chant “Kill the Serb” without shame.
This concert is not just a musical event – it’s a political manifesto dividing society and reminding us of the darkest chapters in history. While other countries sanction such things, in Croatia, it’s swept under the rug. And the athletes? They take selfies and spread messages that should be banned.
If you think this is far from us, think again. These events send dangerous signals to the youth and normalize hate. Isn’t it time to finally question responsibility and the limits of free speech? Or will we keep silent while history repeats itself?
Jump into the conversation – is this freedom of expression or dangerous propaganda? Who’s next to be celebrated this way? Share your thoughts, because silence isn’t an option!
