A recent mega-concert by the ultra-nationalist singer Marko Perkovic, known as Thompson, has ignited a fiery debate on the state of divided society in Croatia. This event has been labelled a "neo-fascist Croatian Woodstock" by critics, while supporters view it as a form of patriotic resistance against the political establishment.
Thompson's concert drew a crowd that concert organizers claimed exceeded half a million attendees, though estimates suggest actual numbers were lower but still impressive, reaching hundreds of thousands. From the outset, the concert was a flashpoint for controversy as attendees enthusiastically sang along to his music, particularly the opening number "Čavoglave Battalion." When Thompson called out "Za dom" ("for homeland"), the crowd responded with "Spremni!" ("ready!"), a phrase that has drawn ire for its association with the Ustasha regime, a Nazi puppet state during World War Two.
Opposition parties and human rights organizations have condemned the widespread chanting of this phrase, emphasizing that it contravenes modern Croatian constitutional values as determined by the Constitutional Court. Tena Banjeglav from Documenta – Centre for Dealing with the Past argued that the event has reopened wounds from the past and that political leaders, rather than denouncing such displays of nationalism, have implicitly endorsed them.
Prominent figures in the government have been accused of soft-pedaling the implications of Thompson’s performance, with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic describing the chanting as merely part of Thompson’s "repertoire," associating with mainstream political functions.
Supporters of Thompson, like conservative commentator Matija Štahan, argue that the singer’s military background grants him a unique perspective, transforming the perceived facist connotations of “Za dom, spremni” into an anti-establishment rallying cry for freedom and rebellion against the political status quo. This perspective, however, is fiercely contested by others, like Mario Mažić from the Youth Initiative for Human Rights, who stresses that the phrase remains fundamentally fascist regardless of its recontextualization.
Amid these tensions, nationalist sentiments have grown increasingly visible in Croatia, especially since Brexit, which some historians attribute to a broader disintegration of anti-fascist values across Europe. Thompson's recent performances, particularly one marking the 30th anniversary of Operation Storm, have shifted the conversation away from pressing societal issues such as tourism, climate change, and economic stability, leaning instead into a celebration of militaristic nationalism.
As Croatia grapples with its historical identity amidst contemporary challenges, the legacy of figures like Marko Perkovic and the response from both supporters and detractors will continue to polarize public opinion in this Balkan nation.
