Croatian rock star Marko Perković, known as “Thompson,” has sparked outrage by promoting Holocaust distortion through his music and performances. The event, scheduled to take place in Zagreb’s Hippodrome on Saturday, will attract a massive audience of half a million fans, setting a new record for the largest concert crowd ever assembled.
Perković’s concerts have been banned in several European countries due to his alleged promotion of Ustasha ideology and glorification of genocide. Some of his fans wear Ustasha symbols and attire, which has sparked concern about the normalization of hate speech.
The concert is expected to feature songs that praise the 1990s war events and promote a nationalistic agenda, with lyrics that reference the Ustasha salute Za dom spremni, reminiscent of the Nazi Sieg Heil. The event also includes performances of songs that glorify death camps and perpetrators of genocide, such as Jasenovac and Gradiška Stara.
Given Croatia’s current status in European politics and its role as President of IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance), one would expect the government to take measures to prevent this event. However, it appears that Perković will be allowed to promote his ideology, potentially causing lasting harm by downplaying the atrocities committed during World War II.
The event has sparked concerns about the normalization of hate speech and the potential erosion of historical truth. Historians and clergy have expressed their disapproval, while sociologists are urging for a multi-disciplinary analysis of this unusual event. Some analysts also link this concert to local elections, highlighting the need for critical examination of such events.
Source: https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-859979