A “neo-fascist Croatian Woodstock” or patriotic, anti-establishment fun?
Last month’s mega-gig by the ultra-nationalist singer Thompson – the stage name of Marko Perkovic – has dramatically exposed the polarised divisions deep within Croatian society.It shone a spotlight on wildly differing interpretations of national identity, history, and the legacy of the 1990s war. And it has sparked a furious debate about the rise of the far-right in a country still grappling with its past.
More than 100,000 people – some estimates suggest closer to 150,000 – packed into zagreb’s Maksimir stadium on 17 June to hear Thompson perform. The concert was a spectacle of pyrotechnics, flags, and a sea of fans singing along to songs steeped in nationalist sentiment.
Thompson’s music glorifies the wartime Croatian Defense Council (HVO), the military wing of the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HDZ BiH), and evokes the memory of the war of independence. He sings of heroism, sacrifice, and the defence of Croatian lands.For many Croats, Thompson is a national hero, a voice for the forgotten and a symbol of patriotism. His concerts are seen as a celebration of Croatian identity and a defiant rejection of what they perceive as attempts to rewrite history.
But for others, Thompson’s music is deeply offensive and risky. Critics accuse him of promoting a revisionist narrative of the war, glorifying war criminals, and inciting hatred. They point to the use of the Šahovnica (chessboard) flag – a symbol adopted by the wartime fascist Autonomous State of Croatia (NDH) – at his concerts.”This concert was a gathering of the extreme right, a display of neo-fascist ideology,” says Žarko Puhovski, a political analyst and historian. “Thompson’s songs are not just patriotic; they are deeply problematic and contribute to the normalisation of extremist views.”
The concert also highlighted the growing appeal of far-right ideas among young Croats. Many attendees were young people who grew up after the war and have a different understanding of the conflict than their parents.
“For them, Thompson represents a rejection of the political establishment and a desire for a strong, national identity,” says Ivan Zvonar, a sociologist. “They feel that the mainstream media and political parties do not adequately represent their views.”
The reaction to the concert was swift and fierce. Opposition parties condemned it, while some civil society groups organised protests. The Serbian and Jewish communities in Croatia also expressed their concerns.
The Croatian government, led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, has been largely silent on the issue. While Plenković has condemned extremism in the past, he has been reluctant to directly criticise Thompson, fearing a backlash from nationalist voters.
The Thompson concert has exposed a raw nerve in Croatian society. It has forced a reckoning with the country’s past and raised difficult questions about its future.
Is Croatia a country moving towards a more inclusive and tolerant society, or is it sliding back into the nationalist divisions that tore it apart in the 1990s? The answer, it seems, is far from clear.
Croatia Rock Concert Sparks Outrage Over Nationalist Chant
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A recent concert by popular Croatian singer Marko Perković Thompson has ignited controversy after thousands of fans chanted a nationalist slogan with deeply problematic past roots. The phrase “Za dom, spremni” – meaning “For the homeland, ready!” – was widely used by the Ustasha, a Nazi-allied association that ruled Croatia during World War Two and was responsible for the persecution and murder of Serbs, Jews, and Roma.
This chant has outraged opposition parties and organisations working for human rights and ethnic and regional reconciliation. They point out that “Za dom, spremni” originated with the anti-Semitic, Nazi-allied Ustasha organization during World War Two – and that Croatia’s Constitutional court has ruled that the phrase “is an Ustasha salute of the Independent State of Croatia [which is] not in accordance with the Constitution of the republic of Croatia”.
“This has opened Pandora’s box,” says Tena Banjeglav of Documenta – Center for Dealing with the Past, an organisation which focuses on reconciliation by taking a factual approach to both World War Two and the more recent war of independence.
“You’ve now got politicians in parliament screaming ‘Za dom, spremni’. On the streets,kids are singing not only that song,but other songs Thompson used to sing which glorify mass crimes in World War Two,” she says.
“The government is creating an atmosphere when this is a positive thing. it is indeed creating a wave of nationalism which could explode into physical violence.”
The government has in fact downplayed the chanting at the concert. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic described it as “part of Thompson’s repertoire” and posed for a photo with the singer the day before the Zagreb gig.
Croatia’s Controversial Military Parade and Concerts Spark Debate Over Nationalist Sentiment
A planned military parade and concerts by nationalist singer Marko Perković Thompson in croatia in August 2025 have ignited controversy, raising concerns about the resurgence of far-right ideologies. critics argue the events serve as a distraction from pressing domestic issues and signal a concerning shift in the country’s political landscape.
Rising Nationalist Sentiment and Historical Context
Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, following a period of intense ethnic conflict. The 1990s war left deep scars and fueled nationalist sentiments,which continue to influence Croatian society. Marko Perković Thompson, known simply as Thompson, gained prominence during the war with songs glorifying Croatian independence and military victories. However, his lyrics have also been accused of promoting nationalist and, at times, controversial views [1].
The planned events are notably sensitive given Croatia’s recent entry into the Schengen Area in 2024, which removed border controls with other member states [2]. Historian Tvrtko Jakovina argues that the focus on nationalist displays is more visible now that the UK has left the European Union, suggesting a diminished external pressure to uphold anti-fascist values. “Because when it comes to anti-fascist values, it can’t be only up to Germany to protect them,” Jakovina stated [3].
A Distraction from domestic Challenges?
Critics suggest the government is deliberately using nationalist rhetoric and events to divert attention from important internal problems. Jakovina believes this is a convenient tactic for a government seemingly struggling to address issues such as tourism challenges, climate change, a struggling industrial sector, deficiencies in higher education, and a looming demographic crisis [3].
“Instead, we’re talking about the military parade and two Thompson concerts,” Jakovina noted, highlighting the shift in focus away from critical policy areas [3]. Croatia faces a declining birth rate and an aging population, leading to concerns about its future workforce and economic stability [4]. Thes demographic challenges, coupled with economic vulnerabilities, create a complex situation for the Croatian government.
Government Response and Public Reaction
The Croatian government has defended the planned events, framing them as celebrations of national pride and military strength. However,the decision has drawn criticism from opposition parties,civil society organizations,and international observers. Concerns have been raised about the potential for the events to glorify wartime figures and ideologies associated with the Ustaše, a fascist movement that collaborated with Nazi Germany during World War II [5].
Public reaction has been divided, with supporters viewing the events as a legitimate expression of patriotism and critics condemning them as divisive and harmful. Social media platforms have become a battleground for debate, with hashtags both supporting and opposing the events trending nationally.
Key Takeaways
croatia is holding a military parade and concerts by nationalist singer Thompson in August 2025.
The events have sparked controversy due to concerns about the resurgence of far-right ideologies and the glorification of controversial historical figures.
Critics argue the events are a distraction from pressing domestic issues such as economic challenges, climate change, and demographic decline.
The events are occurring after Croatia joined the Schengen Area and following the UK’s departure from the EU, leading to discussions about the role of external pressure in upholding anti-fascist values.
Sources:
1][https://balkaninsightcom/2023/08/18/croatian-singer-thompson-to-hold-concerts-near-serbian-border/[https://balkaninsightcom/2023/08/18/croatian-singer-thompson-to-hold-concerts-near-serbian-border/
2][https://wwwschengenvisainfocom/news/croatia-officially-joins-schengen-area/[https://wwwschengenvisainfocom/news/croatia-officially-joins-schengen-area/
3][https://wwweuronewscom/culture/2024/01/19/croatia-military-parade-and-thompson-concerts-spark-fears-of-nationalist-resurgence[https://wwweuronewscom/culture/2024/01/19/croatia-military-parade-and-thompson-concerts-spark-fears-of-nationalist-resurgence
4][https://wwwstatistacom/statistics/1368418/croatia-fertility-rate/[https://wwwstatistacom/statistics/1368418/croatia-fertility-rate/
5][https://wwwreuterscom/world/europe/croatia-faces-criticism-over-planned-military-parade-concerts-2024-01-18/[https://wwwreuterscom/world/europe/croatia-faces-criticism-over-planned-military-parade-concerts-2024-01-18/
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