The announced concert by Jelena Karleuša at Vodice's Hacienda club on August 15 has sparked strong public reactions and criticism from Mayor Ante Cukrov, who has announced a meeting with the organizers.
The announcement of Serbian singer Jelena Karleuša's concert at the Hacienda club in Vodice, scheduled for the Assumption holiday on August 15, 2026, has triggered a wave of comments and sharp reactions. Vodice Mayor Ante Cukrov has made it clear that the controversial singer is not welcome, while organizers are trying to calm tensions by explaining that the performance will actually begin after midnight, i.e., on August 16.
Mayor Ante Cukrov did not hide his displeasure. In a statement to Nacional, he was direct: "This is inappropriate. We are not responsible for private properties, only for public spaces. We have nothing against anyone, and everyone is welcome in Vodice, but this is about the name and surname of a person who has publicly made negative comments about our country, and for that reason alone, she is not welcome."
Cukrov revealed that he has never received more calls and messages than after the concert was announced. "I have never received more calls and emails since the concert was posted on Hacienda's official pages. It is inappropriate to host Jelena Karleuša, especially given the announced silent protests by citizens and veterans' associations," he said for Zagreb.info. He emphasized that the opposition is solely directed at Karleuša due to her public statements, not at other regional performers who regularly appear in Vodice during the summer.
The news of the concert quickly spread across social media and forums like Reddit, where critical comments piled up. "Jelena Karleuša in Croatia after she wished us a canopy collapse?" read one post, referring to Karleuša's earlier statements related to the canopy collapse in Novi Sad and the protests in Serbia. Other commenters added: "And on the Assumption, of all days," "I'm sure the organizers don't even know it's a holiday then," and "It's a shame they even invite her after all her comments about us."
Some were even harsher, calling for a boycott. One comment read: "Here's a Serb saying this. Let's ban her from entering the Balkans," while others wondered: "Are you kidding?"
Facing a wave of criticism, the organizers from the Hacienda club issued a statement attempting to clarify the date situation. "Dear followers, we are aware of the different opinions and reactions regarding the announced concert on August 15. We want to emphasize that the club's program takes place during the night hours. The club doors open at 11 PM, while performances begin after midnight, i.e., on August 16, therefore after the Assumption holiday," they announced.
Along with the technical clarification, they also appealed for decency: "We will not tolerate hate speech, insults, or threats directed at anyone through our social media. Hacienda is a place of music, entertainment, and mutual respect. Everyone has the right to decide whether to come or not, and differing opinions can be expressed in a civil manner."
The organizers had previously announced Karleuša's arrival as the "biggest spectacle of the summer," describing her as: "Some stars leave a mark. Jelena Karleuša has been setting standards for decades. Her performances are not just concerts, they are a blend of music, fashion, energy, and top-tier production that raises the bar every time."
To find a solution to the situation, a meeting between Mayor Cukrov and the concert organizer, Ivana, has been scheduled for Monday, August 10, 2026. Whether the talks will result in the cancellation of the performance, an adjustment of the program, or the concert will go ahead as planned remains to be seen. The mayor has already made it clear that the issue is not regional cooperation but solely the person and statements of Jelena Karleuša.
