Marko Perković Thompson Stuttgart concert controversy

Ahead of a scheduled performance at the Porsche Arena in Stuttgart, Germany, Croatian singer Marko Perković Thompson issued a statement denying allegations that his music and values are linked to totalitarianism or antisemitism. He stated that such ideologies belong to a previous era and that his work focuses on God, family, and Croatian history.

Following the concert, which was attended by approximately 6,500 people, controversy emerged regarding the display of flags and scarves featuring the “Za dom spremni” salute, a slogan associated with the WWII-era Ustaše movement. While German media reported the presence of symbols with neo-fascist connotations, the Stuttgart city administration maintained there was no legal basis to ban the event.

Disputes also arose regarding performance restrictions: organizers reportedly agreed to omit certain songs, but Thompson’s management denied such an agreement existed, calling reports of a ban on the song “Bojna Čavoglave” a “pure fabrication.”

The event has drawn polarized political reactions. Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman stated that German authorities did not yield to political pressure and emphasized the importance of protecting Croatian citizens. Conversely, Croatian politician Dalija Orešković criticized the event, describing the promotion of such ideologies as the “export of ideological trash.”