The problem stems from the Yugo-nostalgics’ pathological refusal to accept Croatian statehood and their obsessive need to smear their own people before the international community…
A social media page attributed to a former Croatian president has hit out at the negative media coverage of last weekend’s world record breaking Marko Perković Thompson concert in Zagreb, pointing the finger at domestic ‘Yugo-nostalgics’.
“While the rest of Europe takes pride in its national identities and freedom of expression, here, patriotism and song are declared a crime,” commented a Facebook page attributed to Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, the first ever female president of Croatia.
Hysterical labels about ‘resurgent Ustašas’
“All those hysterical labels about ‘resurgent Ustašas’ and the attempts to criminalize love for the Homeland, the Catholic faith, and Croatian identity are not coming from another planet,” continued the statement on the ‘Kolinda Grabar Kitarović -Naša Predsjednica’ Facebook page earlier this week.
“They’re coming from domestic journalists, activists, and ‘experts’, mostly former apologists of the Yugoslav system and ideology, who still haven’t come to terms with the fact that Croatia fought for – and won – its freedom, independence, and democracy.
“That’s where all our problems lie: in their pathological refusal to accept Croatian statehood and their obsessive need to smear their own people before the world,” added the statement by the ‘Kolinda Grabar Kitarović -Naša Predsjednica’ Facebook page.
Meanwhile, a Sydney born former Associated Press journalist and Australian Croatian returnee to Croatia has also taken aim at critics of the singer and the world record breaking concert that saw half a million attend the mega-event in the Croatian capital.
As predictable as it is absurd
Eugene Brčić Jones revealed that on the weekend he finally attended a concert by the performer, whom he had interviewed on previous occasions for several international publications many years ago.
“The online vitriol painting him as a fascist pied piper, luring Croats into a neo-Ustaše frenzy, is as predictable as it is absurd,” said the social commentator whose family’s return to Croatia was highlighted in Part 2 of our recent ‘Is Croatia Safer than Australia’ feature series.
“Having sat across from the man, I’m here to spill a trade secret: journalism often runs on pre-baked narratives,” Brčić Jones revealed the secrets of the media world in his Facebook post earlier this week.
“Never mind that the Ustaše, vanished 80 years ago, or that no one’s plotting ethnic purges in the mosh pit, the fear is that Thompson’s tunes could spark a fascist revival, as if his fans are one guitar riff away from dusting off black uniforms,” he continued his social commentary.
Thompson under the skin of his critics
According to the articulate opinion post by Brčić Jones, Thompson refuses to let Croatia’s 1,000-year dream of independence, realized in the 1991–1995 Homeland War, ‘be tainted by apologizing for a defunct regime’s atrocities’.
And that’s precisely what is getting under the skin of his critics.
“Thompson is not denying history; he’s separating the noble fight for freedom from the Ustaše’s crimes. In a world with room for nuance, he’d have a point. Why should a singer grovel for sins he didn’t commit?” the one-time AP correspondent poses an interesting question.
“This is where the free speech irony kicks in, what philosophers call the paradox of tolerance,” continued Brčić Jones.
“Croatia champions free expression but polices Thompson’s concerts to prevent glorifying a ghost. The U.S., by contrast, lets neo-Nazis wave swastikas until they cross into violence, trusting open debate to counter bad ideas. Both grapple with the same question: when does a symbol become a threat?”
According to Brčić Jones, who has called the Croatian capital his permanent home since 2017, Thompson’s music focusses on the themes of Christian faith, family and love for the homeland. This resonates with the vast majority of Croats, who are proud of their hard-won independence during the Homeland War (1991-95).
“Labelling it a fascist dog whistle feels like lazy hysteria, especially when no one’s chanting for genocide,” stated Brčić Jones.
Time to stop scripting the narrative
The former journalist then posed the question, “so, who’s the “real” Thompson? A crypto-fascist or a patriot navigating a cultural minefield?”
The truth, stated Brčić Jones, lies in the ‘absurdity of the debate’.
“In 2025, chasing Ustaše boogeymen at rock concerts is as futile as asking the “real” Thompson to stand up,” he said.
“It’s time to stop scripting the narrative and start listening – to the music, the history, and the Croatia that exists today, not 80 years ago.
“If that’s too hardcore for the critics, well, that’s just tough,” was Brčić Jones’ parting message.
The final (defiant) message rests with the conclusion made by the Facebook page attributed to ex-president Kitarović.
“Patriotism is not a crime. Love for one’s country is not fascism. Pride in one’s roots is not ‘hate speech’. It’s time to say it clearly: They do not speak in our name. Croatia is a free, democratic state and will remain so – despite their frustrations and slander.”
