Zagreb Readies for Performance of Fascist Sympathizer's Show - Zagreb's preparations for a performance by fascist lauders unfold
Marko Perković Thompson, a folk-rock icon in Croatia, is set to perform in Zagreb on July 5, 2025, in a concert expected to attract a record-breaking crowd of around 450,000 fans. However, the event has sparked controversy and concerns due to Thompson's history of associations with fascist symbolism and behaviour.
Thompson's band, Thompson, has been controversial for alleged promotion of the WWII fascist Ustasha regime. Their 1991 hit song "Bojna Čavoglave" opens with the fascist slogan "Za dom spremni" ("For the Homeland – Ready"), which is a Ustasha salute. In 2007, the Anti-Defamation League reported that many attendees at Thompson's concerts wore clothing with Ustasha symbols and carried banners with anti-Serb, anti-Semitic, and anti-Roma rhetoric. Concertgoers reportedly performed Nazi salutes in response to the band's traditional "war cry," and Ustasha-related material was sold at venues.
These incidents have led to Thompson being banned from performing in several European countries, including the Netherlands in 2003 due to Nazi-sympathizing concerns. Media and authorities have also noted that Thompson's concerts attract controversy due to these associations.
Despite these concerns, the upcoming concert in Zagreb has been reported as a major event with logistical preparations to handle the crowds. It is worth noting that the latest reports do not explicitly confirm fascist symbolism or behaviour at this particular concert. However, given the history and legacy of Thompson's events, concerns about Nazi or Ustasha sympathies and symbolism frequently accompany his Zagreb concerts.
Some media outlets and supporters argue that the backlash against Thompson is motivated by media bias and unfair mockery of the singer and his fans, focusing on his popularity and the scale of his concerts rather than alleged extremist associations.
The organisers of the concert have prohibited symbols that promote hatred, intolerance, racism, or extremist ideologies. The sale of tickets for the concert is being handled by Entrio, and the Zagreb Police have advised tourists to avoid the city during the concert.
In conclusion, while the 2025 Zagreb concert is a major cultural event, Thompson's concerts have a well-documented history of being linked with fascist symbolism and behaviour among some attendees, which continues to prompt controversy and media criticism. The organisers' decision to ban symbols promoting hatred and intolerance may provide reassurance to those concerned about the event.
The upcoming concert of Marko Perković Thompson, known for his controversial associations with fascist symbolism and behavior, has stirred political debates and general-news discussions in Zagreb, Croatia, where he is set to perform on July 5, 2025. Given the history of Thompson's concerts, hospitals in Zagreb are advised to prepare for potential incidents related to Nazi or Ustasha sympathies and symbolism that have marred his events in the past.
