Dark and Anxious Nights Prevailing in August
In the heart of August 2025, Croatia found itself once more entangled in a wave of criticism and debate. The summer months returned to the familiar themes of nationalism, racism, sexism, and war crimes denial, stirring up a storm of controversy.
At the centre of the storm was Miljenko Jergović, a prominent Croatian writer and publicist, who found himself under threat. Jergović, known for his outspoken views, was met with violence and agitation on social media, graffiti on his residential house, and even a physical confrontation in Zagreb. Yet, he did not request further investigation by the police, as he had lost trust in their independent investigation.
The president and the interior minister were held responsible for this lack of trust. The social democratic Prime Minister Milanović, however, invited Jergović for a talk, expressing his hope that the September nights would usher in a new era of dialogue and tolerance towards differing opinions in Croatian society.
Jergović's plight sparked solidarity from unexpected quarters. Among those who showed support were many who are currently opposing the revision of history by the far right. The writer, reviled by Croatian nationalists, yet also controversial among leftists, received an outpouring of support from journalists, authors, politicians, and even veterans of the independence war.
The controversy did not end there. The "Nosi se" festival, which critically addressed the War of Independence and Croatian nationalism, was met with protests. The festival was eventually canceled due to the police's inability to protect the artists. The concert by the notorious fascist bard Thompson, held in the Dalmatian city of Sinj, was attended by fans of the fascist-like militia HOS and civilians wearing Ustasha symbols.
Thompson, on stage, declared that the power behind them was the idea of love for the homeland. The concert, however, was met with a barrage of hate and incitement on social media, and Jergović was spat on and insulted by a passerby in Zagreb. Journalist Melita Vrsaljko, who lives in Benkovac, was advised by the police to stay somewhere else for a few days, as HOS supporters marched through the streets, insulting and threatening her.
As the dust settles, the nation waits for the next August. The question remains: will the nation heed the call for dialogue and tolerance, or will the cycle of controversy and division continue?
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