Some Vinkovci residents protest Jakov Jozinović concert as Dabro and mayor defend young singer

Jakov Jozinović’s planned appearance at the 61st Vinkovci Autumns has split opinion in his hometown. Some residents and members of the veterans’ community object to the young singer performing at the festival because of a concert he held earlier this year in Novi Sad.

The disputed performance took place at the SPENS hall. Some veterans’ representatives have said that, after the fall of Vukovar in 1991, Croatian prisoners were held there before being transferred to camps in Serbia. Jozinović nevertheless went ahead with the concert.

His appearance in Vinkovci is planned for Friday, Sept. 11. Josip Dabro, a former minister, responded to the criticism on Facebook by calling Jozinović a young Vinkovci and Slavonia native whose talent and work had brought him a major breakthrough.

“

Jakov Jozinović is a young man, a Vinkovci resident and a Slavonian who has made a major breakthrough through his talent and work.

“Jakov Jozinović is a young man, a Vinkovci resident and a Slavonian who has made a major breakthrough through his talent and work,” Dabro wrote. He urged the city to let Jozinović sing at the festival’s opening, saying people should be proud rather than envious when a young person from Slavonia succeeds beyond Croatia.

Vinkovci Mayor Josip Romić also backed the decision. He said the city had received complaints but that many residents had repeatedly asked when Jozinović would finally perform in his hometown. “A child of this city will perform at the Vinkovci Autumns, in his Vinkovci,” Romić wrote, adding that the organizers did not want to hurt anyone or disregard anyone’s feelings.

“

A child of this city will perform at the Vinkovci Autumns, in his Vinkovci.