Half a Million at Tompson’s Concert in Zagreb: Celebrating Ustasha Ideology and Hate!
Zagreb recently hosted the largest concert in Croatian history, but not for the music—it was for the controversy shaking the region and Europe. Marko Perković Tompson, a singer notorious for his sympathies towards the Ustasha regime of World War II, gathered an astonishing half a million people at the Zagreb Hippodrome. Yes, you read that right—500,000 people!
Ustasha Symbols and Fascist Salutes on Display
The concert was rife with Ustasha symbols, and Tompson opened with the song “Rise, Shadows,” shouting the fascist salute “Za dom spremni” (“For the Homeland Ready”), used by the Nazi-allied regime. This salute is banned in many countries, and Tompson is banned from performing in several due to his views. Yet, none of this stopped the massive crowd from coming out to celebrate.
Official and Public Reactions: Shock and Condemnation
Zagreb’s mayor, Tomislav Tomašević, strongly condemned the concert and the singing of Ustasha songs, calling such acts harmful to Croatian society. He urged state institutions to sanction everyone who sang Ustasha songs or displayed Ustasha symbols. The Youth Initiative for Human Rights called the event “the largest pro-fascist gathering since World War II.”
Serbian politicians and public figures also reacted fiercely. Milorad Dodik, President of Republika Srpska, stated the concert was not a musical event but a platform promoting hatred and glorifying crimes. Dodik warned that when half a million people cheer a salute under which hundreds of thousands of Serbs, Jews, and Roma were killed, it is a warning sign not just for Croatia but for all of Europe.
Police and Security Issues
Ahead of the concert, police detained 44 people, with 16 seeking medical help. One person was detained for disturbing public order, and 43 for using pyrotechnics. The security risks were high, but that didn’t stop the massive gathering.
Audience from Across Europe and Ticket Sales
Organizers confirmed that the audience came not only from Croatia but also from other European countries. The highest number of tickets were sold in Croatia (around 300,000), followed by Germany (about 22,000), Austria (about 18,000), and Bosnia and Herzegovina (about 10,000).
What Does This Say About Society?
Is it possible that in 2024, half a million people celebrate an ideology responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocents? Is this just a concert or a political platform for spreading hatred and revisionism?
The mayor of Zagreb and many others call for sanctions and bans on Ustasha symbols, but the question remains—how can such gatherings even take place?
Conclusion: Europe is Silent, Hate is Spreading
While all of Europe remains silent, half a million people in Zagreb celebrate a fascist past. This is not just a Croatian problem but a continental one. If we don’t act now, hatred will only grow.
So, what do you think about this concert? Freedom of expression or dangerous normalization of hate? Drop a comment, let’s hear some reason or at least a good joke about all this. Because if we can’t laugh, what’s left?
