Zagreb Under Siege: Thompson’s Concert Sparks Chaos and Controversy!
Imagine half a million people in one place – this isn’t a scene from an apocalyptic movie, but the reality of Marko Perković Thompson’s concert at Zagreb’s hippodrome. Such a massive crowd completely blocked the Freedom Bridge and surrounding streets, creating unprecedented traffic jams. But it’s not just the crowd that shocked – they left behind mountains of trash, and the police had to detain 44 people, mostly for illegal use of pyrotechnics.
Traffic Jam and Chaos on the Streets
After more than three hours of concert, thousands of people headed home, clogging the Freedom Bridge and nearby streets. Police activated phase III of temporary traffic regulation to ease the dispersal. The Importanne Center passage was closed, with Miramarska street as an alternative route. Emergency services had their hands full with 63 interventions, including poisonings, alcohol overdoses, minor injuries, allergic reactions, and consciousness disorders.
Detentions and Pyrotechnics: Police Crackdown
During the concert, 44 people were detained, 43 of them for illegal use of pyrotechnics. Police confiscated 91 pieces of pyrotechnic devices. Just before the concert started, several men lit flares and caused three small fires on the Sava embankment, escalating tensions. Firefighters quickly responded, and police arrested the perpetrators.
Political Tensions and Controversies Over Concert Messages
Before the concert, influential HDZ members reportedly urged Thompson to use only patriotic messages and official Croatian symbols, avoiding Ustaša references. Still, the atmosphere was tense, with some media reporting Ustaša rhetoric and incidents at the concert. HDZ officials emphasized they do not want the concert to damage Croatia’s reputation or spread intolerance.
Spiritual Shock or Political Spectacle?
Priest Stjepan Ivan Horvat described the concert as a “meeting with truth” and a “spiritual shock,” where the people were one heart and one soul. He said the concert was a moment of pride, faith, and resistance but also revealed the “rot of the system” and the “beast” that hates what is pure and sacred. His words further fueled the fire around the event, while media and public remain divided between those who see the concert as a patriotic gathering and those who criticize it for controversial messages and incidents.
Trash and Irresponsibility: What’s Left After the Concert?
Besides the crowd and incidents, attendees left a huge amount of trash at the hippodrome and surrounding streets. Despite partial distribution of eight pallets of water, the organization clearly failed to maintain cleanliness. Such irresponsible behavior towards public space angered citizens and raised questions about the responsibility of organizers and attendees.
Conclusion: A Spectacle Dividing the Nation
Thompson’s concert in Zagreb was not just a musical event – it was a spectacle that caused traffic chaos, emergency interventions, detentions, and political controversy. While some celebrate the spirit of homeland and unity, others see dangerous messages and irresponsible behavior. Freedom Bridge and Zagreb’s streets will remember this day for a long time, and the question remains whether the next concert will bring even greater chaos or finally order.
If you were there or have your own take on all this, drop a comment below – let’s see who’s for and who’s against this spectacle that shook Zagreb to its core! Or maybe you have a better idea on how to organize such events without the chaos?
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