Latest news with #Ustasha
San Francisco Chronicle
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Controversial right-wing singer Marko Perkovic draws tens of thousands to Zagreb concert
ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — A concert by right-wing singer Marko Perkovic, notorious for his perceived sympathy for Croatia's World War II pro-Nazi puppet regime, has drawn tens of thousands of his fans to Zagreb on Saturday. Some 450,000 are expected to be in attendance at the Hippodrome later in the evening, the biggest concert in Croatia's history, according to the police, viewed as a major security challenge. Perkovic, also known as Thompson, has been banned from performing in some European cities over frequent pro-Nazi displays at his gigs, but he remains hugely popular in Croatia, frequently attending rallies and sports events. Organizers said any display of any hate-fueling insignia is strictly banned at Saturday's concert. Some fans were seen wrapped in Croatian flags while others wore black Thompson-inscribed T-shirts. 'See you at Hippodrome,' Perkovic wrote on Facebook. 'Take care of each other.' In Zagreb, a city of nearly 700,000 people, the event has been virtually blocked and traffic suspended in various areas days before the event. Authorities deployed thousands of police officers and set up a special control center and a field hospital. The state-owned HRT television said snipers were guarding the venue and helicopters were flying above as visitors streamed in. Some fans told The Associated Press they expected good fun and were happy to be at such an event gathering so many Croats in one place. 'Thompson is a patriot. He does not insult anyone, he loves everybody," said Ivica from eastern Croatia, who gave only his first name. But not everyone was pleased. Former Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor wrote an angry post on X, criticizing how 'the state and the city have been put in service of one man.' 'Thrill and excitement as fans at downtown Zagreb already sing songs from the era of the criminal state,' Kosor wrote on X. 'No media are reporting about that.' Croatia's WWII Ustasha regime ran concentration camps where tens of thousands of ethnic Serbs, Jews, Roma and anti-fascist Croats were brutally executed. Some of Perkovic's songs include the Ustasha salute, punishable by law in Croatia, and other references to the pro-Nazi regime. S ome Croatian nationalists view the leaders of the Ustasha regime as the country's founders despite the recorded atrocities. Perkovic first became popular during a bloody 1991-95 ethnic war that erupted after Croatia declared independence from former Yugoslavia, in which he fought. Nicknamed 'Thompson' after an antique machine gun he carried in the war, Perkovic has claimed that his songs only celebrate Croatia's victory in that war and its independence.
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
Controversial right-wing singer Marko Perkovic draws tens of thousands to Zagreb concert
ZAGREB, Croatia -- A concert by right-wing singer Marko Perkovic, notorious for his perceived sympathy for Croatia's World War II pro-Nazi puppet regime, has drawn tens of thousands of his fans to Zagreb on Saturday. Some 450,000 are expected to be in attendance at the Hippodrome later in the evening, the biggest concert in Croatia's history, according to the police, viewed as a major security challenge. Perkovic, also known as Thompson, has been banned from performing in some European cities over frequent pro-Nazi displays at his gigs, but he remains hugely popular in Croatia, frequently attending rallies and sports events. Organizers said any display of any hate-fueling insignia is strictly banned at Saturday's concert. Some fans were seen wrapped in Croatian flags while others wore black Thompson-inscribed T-shirts. 'See you at Hippodrome,' Perkovic wrote on Facebook. 'Take care of each other.' In Zagreb, a city of nearly 700,000 people, the event has been virtually blocked and traffic suspended in various areas days before the event. Authorities deployed thousands of police officers and set up a special control center and a field hospital. The state-owned HRT television said snipers were guarding the venue and helicopters were flying above as visitors streamed in. Some fans told The Associated Press they expected good fun and were happy to be at such an event gathering so many Croats in one place. 'Thompson is a patriot. He does not insult anyone, he loves everybody," said Ivica from eastern Croatia, who gave only his first name. But not everyone was pleased. Former Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor wrote an angry post on X, criticizing how 'the state and the city have been put in service of one man.' 'Thrill and excitement as fans at downtown Zagreb already sing songs from the era of the criminal state,' Kosor wrote on X. 'No media are reporting about that.' Croatia's WWII Ustasha regime ran concentration camps where tens of thousands of ethnic Serbs, Jews, Roma and anti-fascist Croats were brutally executed. Some of Perkovic's songs include the Ustasha salute, punishable by law in Croatia, and other references to the pro-Nazi regime. S ome Croatian nationalists view the leaders of the Ustasha regime as the country's founders despite the recorded atrocities. Perkovic first became popular during a bloody 1991-95 ethnic war that erupted after Croatia declared independence from former Yugoslavia, in which he fought. Nicknamed 'Thompson' after an antique machine gun he carried in the war, Perkovic has claimed that his songs only celebrate Croatia's victory in that war and its independence.
Hamilton Spectator
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Controversial right-wing singer Marko Perkovic draws tens of thousands to Zagreb concert
ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — A concert by right-wing singer Marko Perkovic, notorious for his perceived sympathy for Croatia's World War II pro-Nazi puppet regime, has drawn tens of thousands of his fans to Zagreb on Saturday. Some 450,000 are expected to be in attendance at the Hippodrome later in the evening, the biggest concert in Croatia's history, according to the police, viewed as a major security challenge. Perkovic, also known as Thompson, has been banned from performing in some European cities over frequent pro-Nazi displays at his gigs, but he remains hugely popular in Croatia, frequently attending rallies and sports events. Organizers said any display of any hate-fueling insignia is strictly banned at Saturday's concert. Some fans were seen wrapped in Croatian flags while others wore black Thompson-inscribed T-shirts. 'See you at Hippodrome,' Perkovic wrote on Facebook. 'Take care of each other.' In Zagreb, a city of nearly 700,000 people, the event has been virtually blocked and traffic suspended in various areas days before the event. Authorities deployed thousands of police officers and set up a special control center and a field hospital. The state-owned HRT television said snipers were guarding the venue and helicopters were flying above as visitors streamed in. Some fans told The Associated Press they expected good fun and were happy to be at such an event gathering so many Croats in one place. 'Thompson is a patriot. He does not insult anyone, he loves everybody,' said Ivica from eastern Croatia, who gave only his first name. But not everyone was pleased. Former Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor wrote an angry post on X, criticizing how 'the state and the city have been put in service of one man.' 'Thrill and excitement as fans at downtown Zagreb already sing songs from the era of the criminal state,' Kosor wrote on X. 'No media are reporting about that.' Croatia's WWII Ustasha regime ran concentration camps where tens of thousands of ethnic Serbs, Jews, Roma and anti-fascist Croats were brutally executed. Some of Perkovic's songs include the Ustasha salute , punishable by law in Croatia, and other references to the pro-Nazi regime. S ome Croatian nationalists view the leaders of the Ustasha regime as the country's founders despite the recorded atrocities. Perkovic first became popular during a bloody 1991-95 ethnic war that erupted after Croatia declared independence from former Yugoslavia, in which he fought. Nicknamed 'Thompson' after an antique machine gun he carried in the war, Perkovic has claimed that his songs only celebrate Croatia's victory in that war and its independence. Index news portal posted video footage Saturday of some fans performing the Ustasha salute in Zagreb before the concert. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Controversial right-wing singer Marko Perkovic draws tens of thousands to Zagreb concert
ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — A concert by right-wing singer Marko Perkovic, notorious for his perceived sympathy for Croatia's World War II pro-Nazi puppet regime, has drawn tens of thousands of his fans to Zagreb on Saturday. Some 450,000 are expected to be in attendance at the Hippodrome later in the evening, the biggest concert in Croatia's history, according to the police, viewed as a major security challenge. Perkovic, also known as Thompson, has been banned from performing in some European cities over frequent pro-Nazi displays at his gigs, but he remains hugely popular in Croatia, frequently attending rallies and sports events. Organizers said any display of any hate-fueling insignia is strictly banned at Saturday's concert. Some fans were seen wrapped in Croatian flags while others wore black Thompson-inscribed T-shirts. 'See you at Hippodrome,' Perkovic wrote on Facebook. 'Take care of each other.' In Zagreb, a city of nearly 700,000 people, the event has been virtually blocked and traffic suspended in various areas days before the event. Authorities deployed thousands of police officers and set up a special control center and a field hospital. The state-owned HRT television said snipers were guarding the venue and helicopters were flying above as visitors streamed in. Some fans told The Associated Press they expected good fun and were happy to be at such an event gathering so many Croats in one place. 'Thompson is a patriot. He does not insult anyone, he loves everybody,' said Ivica from eastern Croatia, who gave only his first name. But not everyone was pleased. Former Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor wrote an angry post on X, criticizing how 'the state and the city have been put in service of one man.' 'Thrill and excitement as fans at downtown Zagreb already sing songs from the era of the criminal state,' Kosor wrote on X. 'No media are reporting about that.' Croatia's WWII Ustasha regime ran concentration camps where tens of thousands of ethnic Serbs, Jews, Roma and anti-fascist Croats were brutally executed. Some of Perkovic's songs include the Ustasha salute, punishable by law in Croatia, and other references to the pro-Nazi regime. S ome Croatian nationalists view the leaders of the Ustasha regime as the country's founders despite the recorded atrocities. Perkovic first became popular during a bloody 1991-95 ethnic war that erupted after Croatia declared independence from former Yugoslavia, in which he fought. Nicknamed 'Thompson' after an antique machine gun he carried in the war, Perkovic has claimed that his songs only celebrate Croatia's victory in that war and its independence. Index news portal posted video footage Saturday of some fans performing the Ustasha salute in Zagreb before the concert.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Croatia's biggest concert stirs controversy as Nazi-sympathising singer Thompson returns to stage in Zagreb
ZAGREB, July 3 — A concert by a singer known for pro-Nazi sympathies will draw a record-breaking 450,000 fans to Zagreb this weekend and Croatian authorities yesterday warned people to steer clear as the event jams its streets. A dozen hospitals have been put on alert to brace for a surge in demand during the Thompson concert on Saturday, while thousands of police will be deployed to manage the influx into a city already hosting summer tourists. A field hospital with 200 beds will also be set up near the racecourse venue and fans have been warned to prepare for summer heat. Marko Perkovic, known by his stage name Thompson, has been banned from performing in several countries due to his sympathies with Croatia's World War II fascist Ustasha regime. Ustasha symbols are common at Thompson concerts, and he begins one of the most popular songs by screaming a fascist slogan infamously used by the Nazi-allied regime. 'People adore him' The concert sold out in just a few days in April, with a third of his fans under 28, according to the ticketing platform Entrio. Police said there would be at least 450,000 people at Croatia's biggest concert. 'People adore him, due to his patriotic songs and affection for Croatia,' 22-year-old Nikola, who did not give his family name, told AFP ahead of the concert. The student ignores the Ustasha shouts from Thompson and said it just reflects the 'wartime' era in which the song was recorded. 'I was not even born when it was released.' A folk-rock icon of Croatia's right-wing, Thompson first became popular for his nationalist songs in the 1990s during the country's war of independence. But his manager, Zdravko Barisic, told local media that it was 'inappropriate' to accuse him of Ustasha sympathies and that he was hosting a 'concert, not a political rally'. Zagreb's left-wing mayor, Tomislav Tomasevic, rejected earlier calls to ban the performance, saying they were 'counter-productive'. 'Patriotic charge' In recent years, Croatia has seen a growing tolerance for its pro-Nazi past and critics accuse authorities of failing to sanction the use of Ustasha emblems. The Ustasha persecuted and killed hundreds of thousands of Serbs, Jews, anti-fascist Croatians, Roma and others in concentration camps during World War II. But historian Hrvoje Klasic told AFP that the singer's popularity does not reflect an increasing support for far-right movements in mainstream society. The vast majority of fans perceive Thompson as a 'patriot, presenting traditional values like homeland, religion, family', Klasic told AFP. 'Croatian society traditionally leans slightly to the right, with a patriotic charge.' The last parliamentary elections, however, saw the Homeland Movement (DP), known for its nationalist and anti-migrant rhetoric, join the coalition government. — AFP
