Serbia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marko Djuric, has criticized a recent concert held by Croatian singer Marko Perkovic Thompson, claiming the event served to promote far-right nationalist views and hostility toward Serbs.
“While I strongly support the right to freedom of expression, even in its most extreme forms—both in the Balkans and beyond—I can’t ignore how such performances might impact Serbs living in Croatia, those who fled, or even Jews, Roma, and many Croats,” Djuric wrote on social media platform X.
He noted that the musician has previously been associated with songs glorifying the WWII-era Jasenovac concentration camp and promoting controversial historical narratives. “Granting such a performer a public platform without clearly rejecting the glorification of past crimes sends a deeply disturbing signal,” Djuric said.
He emphasized that when public discourse fails to condemn associations with the fascist Ustaše regime, it normalizes rhetoric that should have no place in modern society.
“In a region marked by deep suffering, expressions of national identity must be approached with sensitivity and respect for all,” he wrote.
Djuric concluded his remarks by calling for unity over division: “Let us choose understanding over hatred. The path forward must be built on mutual respect and genuine cooperation.”
Први сам заговорник слободе изражавања, чак до екстрема, како код нас у региону, тако и свуда. Па ипак, не могу а да не размишљам о томе како се осећају Срби у Хрватској, Срби из Хрватске, Јевреји, Роми и многи Хрвати када музичар познат по томе што је својим песмама величао…
— Марко Ђурић (@markodjuric) July 6, 2025
