ZAGREB, Croatia — A high-profile concert featuring a controversial right-wing singer has sparked intense discussions following the display of a pro-Nazi salute by a large segment of the audience. Marko Perkovic, known as Thompson, performed at an event in the Croatian capital that drew an estimated 500,000 fans. During the concert, one of his most recognized songs, which begins with the phrase “For the homeland — Ready!,” a slogan associated with the country’s Nazi-aligned Ustasha regime during World War II, reverberated through the crowd.
Perkovic, a figure deeply intertwined with nationalist sentiments in Croatia, has previously framed his music as a reflection of the 1991-1995 war, during which he served. He argues that his songs act as “witnesses of an era,” referencing the turmoil that followed Croatia’s independence from the former Yugoslavia. The conflict arose when minority Serbs, supported by Serbia, sought to detach from Croatia, leading to a brutal ethnic war.
The concert has highlighted a deep-seated division in Croatian society, as many continue to romanticize the Ustasha regime despite its history of horrific atrocities, including the murder of thousands of Serbs, Jews, Roma, and antifascist Croats in concentration camps. Official reports indicate that some nationalists view the Ustasha leaders as key players in the establishment of an independent Croatia.
Despite legal prohibitions against pro-Nazi salutes, the Croatian judiciary has permitted Perkovic to incorporate the phrase into his performances under free expression rulings. This legal leniency suggests a complicated relationship with the country’s history, raising questions about ongoing nationalist sentiments. Footage from the concert showed audience members making the salute, prompting outrage and concern among critics and observers.
The concert, described by Croatian media as unprecedented in scale, required significant security planning, with thousands of police deployed to manage potential risks. Fortunately, officials reported no major incidents during the massive gathering. However, the event has drawn condemnation from various quarters, including Serbian leaders. President Aleksandar Vucic described the concert as a troubling endorsement of pro-Nazi ideologies, while former Serbian politician Boris Tadic labeled it a disgrace for both Croatia and the European Union.
In a stark juxtaposition, regional media noted that while other nations, particularly Germany, have made deliberate efforts to distance themselves from their Nazi past, Croatia finds itself in a different phase of reckoning. Observers suggest that as the country approaches 2025, it remains ensnared in a complex relationship with its historical narratives.
As conversations about national identity and historical memory continue, the response to Perkovic’s concert underscores the challenges Croatia faces in addressing its past while navigating contemporary political and cultural landscapes. The event not only reflects persistent nationalist fervor but also raises critical questions about the legacy of the Ustasha regime and its place in modern Croatian society.