A record-breaking concert by controversial Croatian singer Marko Perković in Zagreb has been marred by widespread allegations of pro-Nazi salutes, sparking international outrage and raising questions about rising nationalism in Europe.
Key Points:
- Fascist Salutes Alleged: Hugely popular Croatian right-wing singer Marko Perković and hundreds of his fans are accused of performing pro-Nazi salutes at a massive concert in Zagreb.
- Record-Breaking Turnout: The controversial event broke a world record, selling an incredible 281,774 tickets, making it one of the biggest ticketed concerts in history.
- A History of Hate: Perković, known as ‘Thompson,’ has a long and documented history of fascist controversy and is known for siding with Croatia’s World War II pro-Nazi regime.
- International Condemnation: The event has drawn sharp criticism and coverage from major international news outlets, placing a spotlight on the resurgence of far-right nationalism in the region.
On July 5th, the Zagreb Hippodrome wasn’t just a concert venue; it was a paradox. On one hand, it was the site of a staggering world record, a testament to the colossal popularity of a national music icon. On the other, it was the scene of an ugly, chilling display, a throwback to Europe’s darkest chapter. As Croatian singer Marko Perković, known to his legions of fans as ‘Thompson,’ played to a sea of people, reports surged across the globe: the artist and his followers were allegedly performing pro-Nazi salutes, marring a historic musical event with the poison of fascist ideology.
The numbers are undeniable. An incredible 281,774 tickets were sold, a figure that catapults the concert into the annals of music history. Yet this commercial triumph is now inextricably linked to a profound moral failure. While tens, possibly hundreds, of thousands of fans roared their approval, they were allegedly led in a salute associated with the Ustaše, Croatia’s pro-Nazi World War II regime. The incident, first reported by outlets like Euronews and The Washington Post, has ignited a firestorm of controversy, forcing a hard look at the man at the center of the storm and the nation that celebrates him.
A World Record Tainted by Hate
The scale of the event cannot be overstated. The Zagreb Hippodrome was transformed into a city of its own, a pilgrimage site for the followers of a man who is more than a singer—he is a symbol of a fierce, uncompromising brand of Croatian nationalism. Ticket vendors like Entrio and Vibecovery had heralded the concert for months, celebrating the historic ticket sales that officially made it the biggest ticketed concert in history. It was meant to be a crowning achievement for Perković, a definitive statement of his cultural dominance.
But as the music played, a darker performance allegedly unfolded. International media reported that Perković and his fans engaged in salutes synonymous with the Nazi collaborationist regime responsible for the murder of hundreds of thousands of Serbs, Jews, and Roma. The gesture is not a subtle one; it is a direct and unambiguous symbol of fascism. For this to happen at a public gathering of this magnitude raises deeply disturbing questions. Is this an isolated act by a few extremists, or is it a symptom of a wider, mainstream acceptance of a toxic ideology? The sheer number of people present makes it impossible to dismiss the event as a fringe gathering. It was a national event, and its alleged embrace of fascist symbols sends a chilling message to the rest of Europe and the world.
The Man Who Sings for the Far-Right
For those who have followed his career, this controversy is anything but surprising. Marko Perković ‘Thompson’ has built his entire brand on a bedrock of hardline nationalism. His stage name itself is derived from the Thompson submachine gun he carried while fighting in the Croatian War of Independence. While he is celebrated by many as a patriot, he has been dogged for decades by accusations of fascism. News reports from as far back as 2020 explicitly note his reputation for “siding with Croatia’s World War II pro-Nazi regime.”
He is, as Euronews described him, a musician “at the centre of many a fascist controversy.” His concerts have been banned in several European countries, including Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, due to concerns over fascist displays. His songs often contain lyrics that critics argue glorify the Ustaše movement. Therefore, the alleged events at the Zagreb Hippodrome are not an aberration; they are the predictable culmination of a long career spent walking a fine line—and often crossing it—between patriotism and fascist nostalgia. His immense popularity forces a difficult conversation: how does a modern European nation reckon with a cultural hero who is repeatedly accused of celebrating a murderous, totalitarian past?
A Deafening Silence from a Divided Nation
While the allegations have ricocheted across international news media, one of the most glaring aspects of the story is the information that is missing. As of now, there has been no public statement from Perković or his representatives addressing the accusations. More significantly, there has been a deafening silence from Croatian authorities. The alleged public display of pro-Nazi symbols by hundreds, possibly thousands, of citizens at a single event would, in many other European nations, trigger an immediate and forceful official response, including police investigations and condemnation from political leaders.
This lack of an official reaction is, in itself, a powerful statement. It suggests a reluctance, or perhaps an inability, to confront a deeply popular and politically potent figure. Perković’s fan base is a formidable political bloc, and alienating them carries risks that many politicians may be unwilling to take. This official silence allows the controversy to be framed as a media beat-up or an attack on Croatian patriotism, rather than a serious confrontation with the country’s past. The discrepancy in reported crowd sizes—some sources citing ‘tens of thousands’ while ticket sales suggest a crowd in the hundreds of thousands—further muddies the water, but the core allegation of mass fascist salutes remains. Without a firm official stance, the world is left to wonder whether the Croatian state condones such displays through its inaction.
The concert at the Zagreb Hippodrome on July 5th will be remembered for two reasons: its record-breaking commercial success and its sickening, alleged tribute to fascism. It stands as a stark reminder that the ghosts of the 20th century have not been fully exorcised from the heart of Europe. A record was broken, but so too was a moral boundary, leaving a stain on a nation and a troubling question for us all: what is the price of a concert ticket when the performance includes an ovation for hate?