Thompson’s Concert in Zagreb: Over 350,000 Attendees and Tight Security Measures

Music event opens with “Ustani iz sjene”

Croatian singer Marko Perković Thompson kicked off his concert on Saturday night at Zagreb’s Hippodrome, in what was announced as a patriotic and musical spectacle. The concert opened at 9 PM with the song “Ustani iz sjene,” and the audience is expecting a setlist of over 30 songs from different phases of the artist’s career.

Hits such as “Bojna Čavoglave,” “Geni kameni,” “E, moj narode,” “Vjetre s Dinare,” and “Moj Ivane” are among the scheduled tracks. The concert is set to continue until midnight.

Estimated attendance: up to 500,000 people

Organizers estimate that the event could gather up to half a million attendees, which would make it the largest music event of its kind in Croatian history. Visitors began arriving as early as Saturday morning, coming from all parts of Croatia, as well as Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, and Austria.

Early estimates indicated that more than 350,000 people had gathered by the start of the concert. The massive turnout caused traffic jams on Zagreb’s access roads, public transportation routes, and around the Hippodrome itself.

Extensive security presence

To ensure safety, more than 6,500 police officers, around 5,000 security guards and stewards, and 70 firefighters were deployed. Special traffic regulations were introduced for the event. According to the Zagreb Police Department, by the evening 44 people had been detained, most of them for possession of pyrotechnics.

The Red Cross reported 63 medical interventions, mostly related to exhaustion and minor injuries.

Prayer on stage and organizer warnings

Thompson was expected to be joined on stage by retired bishop Ante Ivas, who was scheduled to lead the “Maranatha” prayer.

Organizers had previously announced that any symbols inciting hate speech would not be tolerated. However, sporadic appearances of Ustaša insignia and salutes were observed in parts of the city and near the Hippodrome. No major incidents had been reported by late evening.

Divided public reactions

The concert sparked mixed reactions among the public. While some see it as a powerful patriotic gathering, others point to past controversies surrounding Thompson’s performances. In several parts of the city, antifascist posters appeared, carrying messages against political extremism.

Traffic changes and appeal for patience

Road closures and changes in public transportation will remain in effect until Sunday morning. Organizers urged citizens to remain patient and follow the instructions of emergency and security personnel on-site.

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