Chaos and Controversy at Thompson’s Zagreb Concert: Half a Million Celebrate Ustaše!
Imagine half a million people in one place, all dressed in black, wearing berets and Croatian flags, shouting “Dom spremni” — and not at a peaceful rally, but at a concert by Marko Perković Thompson at Zagreb’s Hippodrome. Yes, you read that right, half a million people are celebrating Ustaše, and chaos erupted right from the start!
Flares, Fires, and Emergency Calls
The concert kicked off with flares and fireworks, but it wasn’t without incidents. Emergency services were overwhelmed — 63 interventions were recorded, and eight people ended up in hospital. One man collapsed and was bleeding, with doctors unsure why. At the north entrance, chaos reigned, a child was knocked down in the crowd, and several men lit flares and started three small fires on the Sava embankment before police intervened.
Police in Action: 44 Detained and 91 Pieces of Pyrotechnics Seized
The concert’s security team didn’t hold back — 44 people were detained, 43 for illegal use of pyrotechnics, and one for disturbing public order. A total of 91 pyrotechnic items were confiscated. Police urged citizens to limit mobile phone use due to possible network overload and to use SMS to ensure emergency services could communicate smoothly.
Drink Prices? 25 Euros for a Bottle of Water or Beer!
While people were packed in the crowd and chaos, drink prices at the concert were astronomical — a bottle of water or beer cost a whopping 25 euros! Is this a concert or an exclusive club for the rich? While half a million people squeezed and suffered, organizers clearly weren’t joking about prices.
Political Tensions and International Reactions
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić didn’t hold back — calling the concert “the biggest concert of neo-Nazi and Ustaše values in the world.” Austrian authorities issued warnings to their citizens to avoid Zagreb because of the concert, and a Croatian influencer sarcastically declared “Long live HDZ, long live fascism” as she left the city.
Experts Warn of Risks
Security expert Tonći Prodan warned of natural and anthropogenic risks — from heatstroke, fires, to possible diversions. Despite a detailed security plan and around 1,400 people involved in logistics and security, the situation was on the edge of chaos.
Conclusion: Concert or Dangerous Provocation?
While half a million people gather to celebrate controversial and historically problematic symbols, and emergency services work at full capacity, the question arises — where is the line between freedom of expression and threat to public order? Is this just a concert or a dangerous provocation that could ignite the region?
If you thought this was just another music event, think again. What do you think? Is this a celebration of culture or a return to dark times? Drop a comment, maybe together we can make sense of this madness!
