This Is Actually Happening 393: What if you survived the Bosnian genocide? [Rebroadcast Ep277]
Jan 6, 2026
Mirsad Solakovic, a Bosnian genocide survivor, shares his harrowing journey from idyllic childhood to the brutal realities of the Bosnian War. He recounts the sudden onset of violence, ethnic divisions among neighbors, and the horrors of torture and displacement. After escaping to safety, Mirsad battled PTSD and found healing through weight training, which led him to establish the Solak Gym charity uniting youth from different backgrounds. His resilience in the face of trauma and dedication to community healing is nothing short of inspiring.
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Childhood Before The War
- Mirsad describes an idyllic, mixed-ethnicity childhood in Kozarat before war erased normal life.
- The first sirens and sheltering on the day he got his school grades marked the instant shift to survival mode.
Neighbourhood Turned Hostile
- Neighbours who once protected them turned fearful or hostile almost overnight.
- Mirsad recounts seeing decaying bodies and dogs eating human flesh, images that haunted him long after.
Torture And The Grenade Moment
- Soldiers detained and brutally tortured Mirsad and his father, forcing him to hold live grenades.
- The oldest soldier ultimately removed the grenades, an act that saved his life and left him questioning human nature.
