The news in Croatian

Marko Perković Thompson treba pjevati na događaju u Zagrebu za rukometnu reprezentaciju . Neki ljudi su protiv , kao Zoran Pusić, koji piše premijeru Plenkoviću zbog Thompsonove povezanosti s prošlim ideologijama . Drugi, uključujući rukometnu momčad, podržavaju njegovu glazbu. Premijer želi fokus na sportskom uspjehu, a ne na političkoj podjeli .

Translation

Marko Perković Thompson is scheduled to perform at an event in Zagreb for the national handball team. Some individuals, such as Zoran Pusić, are opposed to this and have written to Prime Minister Plenković because of Thompson's affiliation with past ideologies. Others, including the handball team, support his music. The Prime Minister wishes to focus on sporting success rather than political division.

Exercise: Text comprehension

Question 1: Who is supposed to sing at the event in Zagreb?

Marko Perković Thompson is supposed to sing at the event in Zagreb.

Question 2: What does the Prime Minister want to focus on?

The Prime Minister wants to focus on the sports success, not on the political division.

Exercise: Vocabulary

(m.) - event

(f.) - national team

- against

(f.) - connection

(f.) - ideology

(f.) - division

Read the full story

▌03/02/2025

The planned performance of Croatian singer Marko Perković Thompson at the homecoming event for the national handball team has stirred significant debate across Croatia. This celebratory event, scheduled to take place in Zagreb, has attracted both support and criticism regarding Thompson's participation.

Zoran Pusić, the president of the Antifascist League, has publicly urged Prime Minister Andrej Plenković to reconsider the invitation extended to Thompson. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Pusić expressed his concern, stating that Thompson, particularly among younger audiences, represents a symbol of Ustaša ideology, which glorifies a controversial part of Croatia's past linked to World War II fascism.

Pusić's plea came in response to statements made by Tonči Glavina, the Minister of Tourism and Sports, who conveyed the government's support for Thompson's presence at the event. Pusić pointed to widely circulated videos that show concerning behaviour at Thompson's past concerts, associating them with historical parallels that are deeply unsettling.

Thompson's Gig at Handball Celebration Sparks Debate Thompson's Gig at Handball Celebration Sparks Debate (Illustration)

Despite these apprehensions, both the Croatian Handball Federation and the national team members expressed their desire for Thompson, whose song "Ako ne znaš što je bilo" has become an anthem for fans, to perform. They argue that his music resonates with the spirit of their recent successes.

Prime Minister Plenković responded to Pusić's concerns by emphasising that the choice of performers reflects the preferences of the athletes and their representative bodies. He noted the role of such events in unifying the nation and strengthening national pride, suggesting that focusing on Thompson's political implications would unnecessarily deepen ideological divides. Plenković stressed that disciplinary measures have been taken against individuals involved in promoting extremist symbols at previous events, implying these incidents should not overshadow the athletes' achievements and the celebration of their success.

The Prime Minister concluded by inviting citizens to join the celebration and urged everyone to prioritise the collective national victory over divisive controversies. As the event approaches, it remains a focal point of both celebration and discourse on historical memory in Croatia.

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