The Sinj City Organization of the HDZ strongly condemned the damage to the coat of arms of the 1st Guard Brigade on the former barracks building, and artist Josipa Tucak explained the background of the controversial mural and performance.
A video appeared on social media showing unknown individuals damaging and desecrating the coat of arms of the 1st Guard Brigade "Tigers" on the Reiner barracks building, in the former Ivaniša Nelipić barracks in Sinj. The building is owned and managed by the City of Sinj, and the Sinj City Organization of the HDZ immediately reacted with a sharp statement.
In a statement signed by the president of the Sinj City Organization of the HDZ, Igor Vidalina, it is stated that the coat of arms was previously placed on the building as part of the announcement of a so-called "performance," and that its subsequent damage became part of the act itself.
"We strongly condemn this shameful and unacceptable act and any attempt to turn the symbols of Croatian defenders and their sacrifice into a means of provocation, insult, or any kind of 'performance'," the statement, as reported by Ferata, reads.
The Sinj HDZ particularly emphasized the symbolism of the Tigers' coat of arms: "Under the coat of arms of the 1st Guard Brigade 'Tigers', the best Croatian sons fought and died. This coat of arms symbolizes their courage, sacrifice, and victory in the Homeland War. No one has the right to use it as a prop for public desecration."
They requested Mayor Miro Bulj and the relevant city services to investigate the circumstances of the event, determine on whose approval the city property was used, and take necessary measures to protect city property and the dignity of Croatian defenders.
Young artist Josipa Tucak, born in 1997, explained on social media how the mural came to be. She stated that, prompted by the younger population that identifies as "patriotic," she created a mural on the exterior facade of the former Ivaniša Nelipić barracks building in Sinj.
The mural consisted of the coat of arms of the 1st Guard Brigade Tigers, along with the inscriptions "Za dom spremni" (Ready for the homeland), "Tigrovi" (Tigers), "10. kolovoza 2026." (August 10, 2026), and "Š.T.A.?". As she explained, she deliberately deviated minimally from the original design of the coat of arms because she did not experience the war and considered it unfair to literally copy a symbol for which many died.
The mural and performance were created in collaboration with Šimun Anušić, a former member of the Tigers and grandson of the late Tadija Anušić, whose initials ("Š.T.A.") are included in the mural. On August 10, 2026, which coincides with the anniversary of the uprising initiated by Tadija Anušić, and the date when police killed Branko Dolić Cica, the mural was painted. According to folk tradition, Branko was a notorious outlaw from Donje Glavice.
The artist also announced a performance titled "I AM READY" (JA SAM SPREMNA) on the occasion of the ceremonial presentation of the mural. In her post, she stated that the title refers to her personal form of patriotism: "I love a home where war is illegal because I consider it one of the greatest evils. So, my home is nowhere."
The performance itself, as she announced, remains an element of surprise. She also stated that she believes none of us are prepared for conflict, regardless of the military training one has completed.
The Sinj HDZ stated in its announcement: "No one can hide behind 'artistic freedoms' here."
