Controversial right-wing singer Marko Perkovic draws tens of thousands to Zagreb concert
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.
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Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Rhodesia Reborn: Zimbabwe Estate Receives a Hero's Welcome as New L. Ron Hubbard Landmark Site
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For here, as Mr. Hubbard himself wrote, 'The adventures were many.' That legacy lives on through a series of defining milestones achieved inside. Foremost among them: the legendary filmed Clearing Course lectures—mapping a path to spiritual freedom not just for this nation, but for all Mankind. And in that very same room, Mr. Hubbard delivered his only filmed interview, An Introduction to Scientology. As he advanced Scientology on behalf of humanity, Mr. Hubbard simultaneously took steps to uplift the country. Within days of his arrival here in 1966, he proffered a new Constitution, Bill of Rights and Penal Code—calling for one man, one vote, regardless of race, color or creed. His Alexandra Park address soon became a meeting ground for ministers, cultural figures and diplomats—gathering for what Rhodesians called 'Sundowners,' graceful evening soirees with drinks and conversation. And through it all, Mr. Hubbard was remembered by his staff for the kindness and fairness he brought to every exchange. Today, this British-Colonial site stands meticulously restored—just as it was during Mr. Hubbard's time. Wallpaper, cabinetry and light fixtures have been matched to archival photographs. Artwork has been recovered. The same typewriters Mr. Hubbard provided his team of typists are faithfully preserved. Among other artifacts on display are the suit he wore while filming his legendary Clearing Course lectures, and even the suitcase he used on his return to England. Outside, the pool is restored to its classic shape and turquoise color. But it's the stone fireplace inside that may be most breathtaking—both for its beauty and its remarkable journey. A later owner had dismantled it, repurposing the stones into a garden wall. Now they have been recovered by restoration experts, cleaned by hand and dutifully returned to their original, exquisite form—warm observers to countless stories, ready to reveal those moments to all who visit this landmark. 'What we celebrate today speaks to the power of community and the far-reaching impact of L. Ron Hubbard's legacy on people from every station in life,' said the Church of Scientology Preservationist, who officiated the opening and oversaw the site's historical restoration. 'Your presence transforms this day into something truly special ... because this building now stands as a place where you can walk in the very footsteps of L. Ron Hubbard.' That was the moment leaders from across Zimbabwe took the podium to pay tribute and speak to Mr. Hubbard's lasting significance. First among them was Ms. Liza Zindoga, President-Elect of the Harare Rotary Club. She recalled that Mr. Hubbard addressed a local branch 59 years ago. 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Boston Globe
an hour ago
- Boston Globe
It's time for a United States of Europe
Advertisement But history wasn't done with him. In 2030, Russia invaded Estonia, a former Soviet republic in northeastern Europe. It was Ukraine all over again. Estonia was a NATO member, but the United States, still led by the Republican Party's isolationist right wing, refused to intervene. Europe was on its own. Get The Gavel A weekly SCOTUS explainer newsletter by columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr. Enter Email Sign Up In those dark years, Macron emerged as Europe's moral and military leader. His cause: the creation of a single European nation — a United States of Europe. In 2035, seven European countries — France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Poland — merged and established the European Federation. Macron was elected its first president. Now, a decade later, Macron is finishing his second term. Under his leadership, the Federation has expanded to more than 20 countries. It has repelled the Russian threat. And it has grown into a global superpower to rival America and China. Advertisement Not just make-believe The idea of a United States of Europe might sound like a fantasy, but it is a serious proposition whose time has come. Threatened by Vladimir Putin on its eastern flank and abandoned by Donald Trump's America, Europe must evolve or fall apart. As the new German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, The best way to do that will be to form a European federation. A federation would unite Europe far more extensively than the European Union does — it would bind countries into a truly unified system of government like what exists in the United States. And it's the only way the continent can guarantee its security, protect its democratic values, and secure its influence in the 21st century and beyond. The current EU is a constitutional Frankenstein: a byzantine economic and political union whose power is split between the That's not all. There's also a Advertisement Oh, and 20 EU countries Confused? You're not alone. Everything would be simpler with a European federation. The historian Brendan Simms, who leads Cambridge University's Think of how the United Kingdom or the United States works: There is one central government, with devolved governments at the regional or state levels. As Simms outlines in his book ' A federal Europe isn't a new idea. It became a real possibility after World War II. In 1951, six countries — including France, West Germany, and Italy — formed a Advertisement At the end of the Cold War, Europe had another chance to become a federation with the advent of the EU in 1993. The German chancellor, Helmut Kohl, But Kohl's warning fell on deaf ears. Pundits predicted that the EU would soon rival the United States as the apex of liberal civilization. Books appeared with grand titles like ' They were all wildly mistaken. 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Instead, he seems hellbent on going over the heads of Europeans Europe must strike out on its own Fortunately, both Macron and Merz seem to understand that Europe must now chart its own path. The United States of Europe would be a force to be reckoned with — thanks to a Europe should also become a federation to better rein in multinational corporations and build an economy that works for the many. The continent has a unique socioeconomic model: social democracy. But only if countries pool their resources will Europeans be able to preserve their cherished welfare states and long summer holidays. What's more, the two great challenges of the 21st century — climate change and artificial intelligence — will require sustained collective action. Again, only a federation can deliver that. There's only one way forward — and now is the time 'A United States of Europe isn't some utopian dream, it's a necessary evolution,' says Daniela Vancic of the History is also on the side of a European federation. 'Federations are established when there's an external threat,' says Matt Qvortrup, a senior research fellow at Australian National University's This was the case with the United States. After declaring independence in 1776, the states were But, even in a crisis, a European superstate won't magically appear. It has to be willed into existence. The political landscape across Europe isn't helping. The EU is divided between pro-European parties and Euro-skeptic nationalist parties. The pro-European faction must do more than simply defend against nationalist attacks; it must start advocating for a federation outright. Otherwise, it risks being seen as apologists for the EU's bureaucracy. The choice shouldn't be between the EU as it is now and nationalism. It should be between deeper integration and nationalism. If pro-Europeans don't offer that choice, nationalists will prevail. Far from pursuing a United States of Europe, some countries could even slam the door on the status quo: the EU. After all, Brexit showed that leaving the bloc is possible. But failure is not inevitable. Public opinion across Europe is complicated — and more pro-European — than it might seem. Voters may be frustrated with the EU, but they are not opposed to a unified Europe. To the contrary. According to Yet Europeans won't clamor for a federation if leaders fail to champion it. More than anyone else, that responsibility falls to Macron. Rumor has it he It will require all of his political courage. As a wise man
San Francisco Chronicle
2 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Thousands of voices unite in song at traditional choir festival celebrating Estonia's culture
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — The voices of more than 21,000 choir singers rang out in the rain in Estonia, and a huge crowd of spectators erupted in applause, unfazed by the gloomy weather. The Song Festival Grounds, a massive outdoor venue in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, was packed on Saturday evening despite the downpour. The traditional Song and Dance Celebration, that decades ago inspired resistance to Soviet control and was later recognized by the U.N.'s cultural agency, attracted tens of thousands of performers and spectators alike, many in national costume. The four-day choir-singing and dancing event centers around Estonian folk songs and patriotic anthems and is held roughly every five years. The tradition dates back to the 19th century. In the late 1980s, it inspired the defiant Singing Revolution, helping Estonia and other Baltic nations break free from the Soviet occupation. To this day, it remains a major point of national pride for a country of about 1.3 million. This year, tickets to the main event -– a seven-hour concert on Sunday featuring choirs of all ages -– sold out weeks in advance. Rasmus Puur, a conductor at the song festival and assistant to the artistic director, ascribes the spike in popularity to Estonians longing for a sense of unity in the wake of the global turmoil, especially Russia's war in Ukraine. 'We want to feel as one today more than six years ago (when the celebration was last held), and we want to feel that we are part of Estonia,' Puur told The Associated Press on Friday. The first song celebration was held in 1869 in the southern city of Tartu. It heralded a period of national awakening for Estonians, when Estonian-language press, theater and other things emerged, says Elo-Hanna Seljamaa, associate professor at the University of Tartu. The festivals continued throughout a period of Estonia's independence between the two world wars and then during the nearly 50 years of Soviet occupation. The Soviet rulers were into 'mass spectacles of all kinds, so in a way it was very logical for the Soviet regime to tap into this tradition and to try to co-opt it,' Seljamaa said in an interview. Estonians had to sing Soviet propaganda songs in Russian during that time, but they were also able to sing their own songs in their own language, which was both an act of defiance and an act of therapy for them, she said. At the same time, the complicated logistics of putting together a mass event like that taught Estonians to organize, Seljamaa said, so when the political climate changed in the 1980s, the protest against the Soviet rule naturally came in the form of coming together and singing. The unity extended beyond Estonia's borders. During the Singing Revolution, 2 million people in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joined hands to form a 600-kilometer (370-mile) human chain that protested Soviet occupation of the Baltics with a song. In 2003, the United Nations' cultural body, UNESCO, recognized Estonia's folk song festival and similar events in Latvia and Lithuania for showcasing the 'intangible cultural heritage of humanity.' 'We sang ourselves free' Marina Nurming recalls attending the Singing Revolution gatherings in the 1980s as a teenager. This year she travelled to Tallinn from Luxembourg, where she currently lives, to take part in the Song and Dance Celebration as a choir singer –- her longtime hobby. The Singing Revolution is a time 'when we sang ourselves free,' she told AP. Seljamaa says the song and dance celebration may have suffered a drop in popularity in the 1990s, a somewhat difficult time for Estonia as it was emerging as an independent country after the Soviet Union collapsed, but has since bounced back. There is a tremendous interest in it among young people, she says, and always more performers willing to take part than the venue can fit in, and there are people who had left Estonia to live abroad, but travel back to take part. Nurming is one example. She is part of the European Choir of Estonians – a singing group that unites Estonians from more than a dozen countries. Many opportunities to sing This year's four-day celebration, which started on Thursday, included several stadium dancing performances by over 10,000 dancers from all around the country and a folk music instrument concert. It culminates over the weekend with the song festival featuring some 32,000 choir singers, preceded by a large procession, in which all participants -– singers, dancers, musicians, clad in traditional costumes and waving Estonian flags –- march from the city center to the Song Festival Grounds by the Baltic Sea. Those taking part come from all corners of Estonia, and there are collectives from abroad, as well. It's a mix of men, women and children, with participants aged from six to 93. For most, singing and dancing is a hobby on top of their day jobs or studies. But to take part in the celebration, collectives had to go through a rigorous selection process, and months worth of rehearsals. For Karl Kesküla, an electrical engineer from Estonia's western island of Saaremaa, this is the first time taking part in the song celebration as a singer -– but he attended it before as a spectator. 'I got the feeling that what they did was really special and almost, like, every person you meet has gone to it or been a part of it at least once. So I just wanted that feeling too,' Kesküla, 30, told the AP at the procession on Saturday. High emotional point The theme of the song festival this year is dialects and regional languages, and the repertoire is a mix of folk songs, well-known patriotic anthems that are traditionally sung at these celebrations and new pieces written specifically for the occasion. The festival's artistic director, Heli Jürgenson, says that although the audience won't know all the songs -– especially those sung in dialects -– there will be many opportunities to sing along. The main concert on Sunday will end with a song called 'My Fatherland is My Love' –- a patriotic song Estonians spontaneously sang at the 1960 festival in protest against the Soviet regime. Every song celebration since 1965 has concluded with this anthem in what both performers and spectators describe as the highest emotional point of the whole event. An emotional Jürgenson, who this year will conduct a combined choir of about 19,000 people singing it, said: 'This is a very special moment.' She believes that what drove the tradition more than 150 years ago still drives it today. 'There have been different turning points, there have been a lot of historical twists, but the need for singing, songs and people have remained the same,' she said. 'There are certain songs that we always sing, that we want to sing. This is what keeps this tradition going for over 150 years.' 'We forget our troubles' Participants described the celebrations as being an important part of their national identity. 'Estonians are always getting through the hard times through songs, through songs and dances. If it's hard, we sing together and that brings everything back together and then we forget our troubles,' singer Piret Jakobson said. 'It's really good with all Estonian people to do the same thing,' said engineer Taavi Pentma, who took part in the dance performances. 'So we are, like, breathing in one and the heart is beating (as one).' Some 100 members of the European Choir of Estonians came to the Song Celebration this year from various corners of Europe. Among them is Kaja Kriis, who traveled from Germany, where she's been living for the last 25 years. 'Estonia is my home,' she said, adding that it's important for her 'to be together with my friends, to keep my Estonian language, to maintain the Estonian language and Estonian culture.'
