Neo-Nazi Vandalism

Within a few days of my posters for the 15th Miroslav Krleža Festival being put up around Zagreb, Croatia, they were torn up and vandalized. This is not the first time. This has been happening for the past three years. The posters for the Miroslav Krleža Festival are probably the most vandalized posters in Zagreb in recent years.

Miroslav Krleža (1893-1981) was a Croatian writer, widely considered the greatest of the 20th century. I created his portrait with his characteristic hat, and because one of his most famous novels is titled Zastave (The Flags), I made his profile from all of the incarnations of the Croatian flag during his lifetime.

In the past, neo-Nazis and nationalists have satisfied themselves by tearing up posters, scratching off Krleža's name and the red stars, and carving a swastika next to one of them. This time, they were not satisfied just with drawing a swastika. This time, they decided to add two more symbols of hatred to the swastika. Letter U with a cross, symbol of the Ustaša, a Croatian fascist movement that nominally ruled the Independent State of Croatia during World War II. And the number 88. 88 is a neo Nazi and white supremacist numerical code for "Heil Hitler." H is the eighth letter of the alphabet, so 88 = HH = Heil Hitler.

And all on the main square, Ban Jelačić Square in the center of Zagreb. 

Here are the reactions of two major Croatian newspapers to this vandalism, Jutarnji list and Večernji list.

Lecture to Future Police Officers on Symbols of Hate

On December 6th, I was giving a lecture on symbols of hate was held for 48 new police recruits in the Training Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Skopje, North Macedonia.

I was invited to come to the Center by invitation of the Assistant Minister of the Training Center, Mr. Vlatko Mitkovski.

During the lecture, I spoke about the importance of recognizing and understanding the meaning of the symbols of hate used by neo-Nazis, racists, and various hate groups, which bombard society daily through the Internet, street graffiti, and different sports fan groups. He explained how police officers, as part of their professional work, must learn to recognize these symbols and do everything in their power to stop the spread of these messages of hate and bring positive changes to the community.

It is hoped that the lecture had been beneficial and provided the attendees with valuable knowledge and new perspectives on the topic.

The event was organized by Vidi Vaka.

Lecture "Symbols of Hate"

As a part of the celebration of the Day for Tolerance (November 16th), Europe House in Sarajevo organized a Tolerance Poster Show and invited me to give an online lecture "Symbols of Hate" on Wednesday, November 15th. The purpose of the lecture is to educate the audience about old and new symbols of hate used by different groups of Neo-Nazis, racists, and other bigots.

 

You can read more here about the Tolerance Poster Show and lecture in Sarajevo here.