Balkan

Automobile | Balkan | Eletromobility | Travel

Audi A6 e-tron Sportback performance (2026) vs. Audi e-tron 55 Sportback quattro (2021) – A Comparison of All Specifications and Costs
ByMirella Sidro 25. August 202625. August 2026

In February 2021, many people thought I was crazy. 1,080 kilometers from Augsburg to Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, driving purely on electric power in a first-generation Audi e-tron 55 Sportback quattro, in temperatures of minus 11 degrees Celsius and with virtually no charging infrastructure beyond Croatia. In May 2026, I drove the same route…

Read More Audi A6 e-tron Sportback performance (2026) vs. Audi e-tron 55 Sportback quattro (2021) – A Comparison of All Specifications and Costs
Automobile | Balkan | Eletromobility | Movie

Heading to the Silver Frame Film Festival in Srebrenica in a Škoda Elroq: Where Sustainability Sets the Tone
ByMirella Sidro 4. August 20264. August 2026

There are some trips I mark on my calendar every year. The trip to Srebrenica for the Silver Frame Film Festival is one of them—this July will be my third time attending. This time, I had a dual mission: Together with the Goethe-Institut Bosnia and Herzegovina and with support from Škoda BiH, I had the…

Read More Heading to the Silver Frame Film Festival in Srebrenica in a Škoda Elroq: Where Sustainability Sets the Tone
Balkan | Exhibition

2026 International Danube Festival: DYON Brings Bosnia and Herzegovina and The Länd Together
ByMirella Sidro 22. July 20264. August 2026

For three days, Theme Tent 2 at the International Danube Festival in Ulm served as a meeting place for people from Baden-Württemberg and Bosnia and Herzegovina. There was spinning, snacking, and marveling There are moments when a tent is more than just a tent. For example, when a visitor from Ulm holds a hand spindle…

Read More 2026 International Danube Festival: DYON Brings Bosnia and Herzegovina and The Länd Together
Balkan | Personalities of the Balkans | Uncategorized

The City of Tuzla in Northeast Bosnia on the European Stage: How Munich-based Muamer Babajić Brought the SystemEU Valley Summit 2026 Here
ByMirella Sidro 14. July 20264. August 2026

Four days, five regions, one goal: At the SystemEU Valley Summit 2026 in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina demonstrated that it can be part of Europe’s innovation story. My report from the summit—including an interview with organizer Muamer Babajić (Masterwerk/DKR) For four days at the end of June, the “Salt City” of Tuzla in northeastern Bosnia…

Read More The City of Tuzla in Northeast Bosnia on the European Stage: How Munich-based Muamer Babajić Brought the SystemEU Valley Summit 2026 Here
Balkan | History | Politics

Why the Whole World Should Visit Srebrenica
ByMirella Sidro 10. July 202610. July 2026

Every July 11 marks the anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. Tens of thousands of people come to Potočari on that day—but this place should not be visited only on days of remembrance. And not only by Europeans. Why Srebrenica is a place for all of humanity. The Road to Srebrenica The drive from Sarajevo to…

Read More Why the Whole World Should Visit Srebrenica
Balkan | History | Politics

What You Should Know About Srebrenica
ByMirella Sidro 10. July 202611. July 2026

Every July 11 marks the anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. And every year, it becomes clear once again that many people—even in Germany—know surprisingly little about what happened in the heart of Europe in 1995. This lack of knowledge is dangerous, because it is the breeding ground on which historical revisionism thrives. Here are the…

Read More What You Should Know About Srebrenica
Balkan | History | Politics | Uncategorized

Srebrenica: A Chronology—From 1992 to the Present
ByMirella Sidro 10. July 202610. July 2026

Every July 11 marks the anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, the most serious war crime in Europe since World War II. Anyone who wants to understand what happened back then and what has happened since will find the key dates here—from the start of the siege in 1992 to the present day. It is a…

Read More Srebrenica: A Chronology—From 1992 to the Present
Balkan | Culinary | Uncategorized

The Sacred National Dish: Ćevapi—NOT Ćevapčići—Sarajevo, Travnik, or Banja Luka?
ByMirella Sidro 2. July 20263. July 2026

Who has the best ones? The big race for the best Ćevapi in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Sarajevo vs. Travnik vs. Banja Luka. Lela’s World sets the record straight and reveals where to find the best food! In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are topics you can argue about passionately for hours on end, with no hope…

Read More The Sacred National Dish: Ćevapi—NOT Ćevapčići—Sarajevo, Travnik, or Banja Luka?
Balkan | Personalities of the Balkans

Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup: 7 Facts You Should Know
ByMirella Sidro 30. June 202630. June 2026

On July 2, 2026, at 2 a.m. (CEST) on the night between Wednesday and Thursday, Bosnia and Herzegovina will face the host nation, the United States, in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup in Santa Clara, near San Francisco. It will be the first knockout match in the history of the “Zmajevi,”…

Read More Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup: 7 Facts You Should Know
Balkan | Personalities of the Balkans

A conversation with Dubioza Kolektiv about their 15-year-old song that became the unofficial World Cup anthem, plus an overview of all official 🇧🇦 public viewing locations
ByMirella Sidro 12. June 202612. June 2026

In this post: an exclusive video interview with Dubioza Kolektiv about the unofficial anthem of the 2026 World Cup—and further down, you’ll find a list of all the official public viewing locations in Bosnia and Herzegovina where you can watch the Zmajevi’s matches together. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is turning everything upside down: An…

Read More A conversation with Dubioza Kolektiv about their 15-year-old song that became the unofficial World Cup anthem, plus an overview of all official 🇧🇦 public viewing locations
Balkan | History | Travel | Uncategorized

The Bosnian pyramids and their tunnels: Energy, yes or no?
ByMirella Sidro 1. June 20261. June 2026

I’ll admit it right at the beginning: As an Egyptologist, I don’t think much of the “Bosnian pyramids”. Whether they exist at all, i.e. whether these mounds near Visoko are actually pyramids built by human hands, has not yet convinced me professionally. Osmanagić himself speaks of five pyramids in the valley, which he has christened…

Read More The Bosnian pyramids and their tunnels: Energy, yes or no?
Balkan | History | Uncategorized

Augsburg Bishop Betram Meier in Sarajevo: “In Bosnia, interreligious dialog is not discussed – it is lived!”
ByMirella Sidro 18. May 202619. May 2026

When it was announced that Bishop Bertram Meier of Augsburg was visiting Sarajevo, it was immediately clear that I would like to meet him for an interview. After all, what connects two cities more than a common soul? Augsburg and Sarajevo are both cities of peace – with very different histories and backgrounds, but with…

Read More Augsburg Bishop Betram Meier in Sarajevo: “In Bosnia, interreligious dialog is not discussed – it is lived!”
Balkan | Travel | Travel | Uncategorized

Bosnia & Herzegovina: All important travel tips at a glance
ByMirella Sidro 11. May 202611. June 2026

Spain? No! Italy? No! No more Hola and Ciao in the first place! Now it’s Zdravo, Merhaba, Shalom and Bog! Bosnia & Herzegovina has made it to the top of Instagram – and if you’ve been here before, you won’t be surprised. Lela’s World gives you the most important travel tips to make your adventure…

Read More Bosnia & Herzegovina: All important travel tips at a glance
Balkan | Travel | Uncategorized

5 Bosnian rivers and their legends – Neretva, Una & Co
ByMirella Sidro 7. April 20267. April 2026

The rivers of Bosnia and Herzegovina are among the most beautiful in Europe – and among the most mysterious. Along the Neretva, Bregava, Una, Buna and Rakitnica, legends of dragons, fairies and hidden spirits of nature have grown up over the centuries. These stories tell not only of myths, but also of people’s deep respect…

Read More 5 Bosnian rivers and their legends – Neretva, Una & Co
Balkan | History | Travel

Ramadan und Bayram in Sarajevo: Wenn eine ganze Stadt gemeinsam das Fastenbrechen feiert
ByMirella Sidro 11. March 202611. March 2026

I am often asked what it is like to travel to Sarajevo during Ramadan or Bayram. Many people are unsure and wonder whether life in the city is restricted or whether tourists might even feel uncomfortable. That’s exactly why I decided to write this little report. Much has already been reported about Ramadan in Sarajevo….

Read More Ramadan und Bayram in Sarajevo: Wenn eine ganze Stadt gemeinsam das Fastenbrechen feiert
Automobile | Balkan | Eletromobility | Travel

On the road in the Cupra Tavascan – photographer Khalil Al Zadjali discovers Bosnia-Herzegovina
ByMirella Sidro 19. January 202625. March 2026

This road trip was special. Not only because we were traveling fully electrically, but because this time I was able to experience Bosnia-Herzegovina through the eyes of a guest. My companion was the outstanding photographer Halil Al-Zadjali from Oman. It was his second visit to the country – but he was seeing many of the…

Read More On the road in the Cupra Tavascan – photographer Khalil Al Zadjali discovers Bosnia-Herzegovina
Balkan | Travel

5 in number – UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina
ByMirella Sidro 9. December 20258. April 2026

Bosnia and Herzegovina is home to extraordinary cultural and natural diversity. UNESCO has recognized five sites – three cultural and two natural – which together form a living panorama of history, mythology, architecture and evolution. They tell of empires that came and went, of people who built bridges and connected worlds, and of a nature…

Read More 5 in number – UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Balkan | Travel | Uncategorized

Skiing in Bosnia and Herzegovina – The most beautiful ski resorts between Sarajevo, Travnik and Herzegovina
ByMirella Sidro 7. December 20257. December 2025

Winter in Bosnia and Herzegovina doesn’t feel like a calendar page, but like a landscape ritual. As soon as the first snow covers the Dinarides, the mountains around Sarajevo, Travnik and Herzegovina are transformed into a winter fairytale that is both modern and pristine. Those who are looking to ski away from the crowded Alps…

Read More Skiing in Bosnia and Herzegovina – The most beautiful ski resorts between Sarajevo, Travnik and Herzegovina
Balkan | Travel

Bosnia and Herzegovina: From a forgotten country to Europe’s most beautiful surprise
ByMirella Sidro 26. October 20258. February 2026

In the shadow of its Croatian and Montenegrin neighbors, who bask in their prestigious locations on the sapphire-blue Adriatic, Bosnia and Herzegovina has long eked out a quiet existence. Too insecure, too complicated, too second tier – these were the old prejudices. A mistake? And what a mistake! Because the reality has long since changed….

Read More Bosnia and Herzegovina: From a forgotten country to Europe’s most beautiful surprise
Balkan | Travel

10 things you need for a trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦✨
ByMirella Sidro 23. October 202523. October 2025

Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a country that you simply visit – you experience it with all your senses. Between turquoise-blue rivers, steaming cevapi grills and warm encounters, an adventure awaits that will change you.So that you are well prepared, here are the ten things you absolutely need for your trip. 1. an open heart…

Read More 10 things you need for a trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦✨
Balkan | Travel | Uncategorized

3 mysterious places in Bosnia and Herzegovina that you have to see
ByMirella Sidro 14. October 20258. April 2026

Where legends, stones and history speak to each other … Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country that mysteriously combines past and present. Between ancient forests, rivers and rocks, there are places that tell of times long past – and yet still seem alive. Places where history lives on not in books, but in stone, symbols…

Read More 3 mysterious places in Bosnia and Herzegovina that you have to see
Balkan | History | Travel | Uncategorized

Museums in Bosnia and Herzegovina – the Sarajevo VRX Immersive Museum
ByMirella Sidro 13. October 202514. October 2025

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country that not only preserves its history, but lives it. In almost every town, museums tell of bygone eras, of art and crafts, of people’s everyday lives, of splendor and wounds. Whether in Sarajevo, Mostar, Banja Luka or in small towns in the country’s interior – each museum is a…

Read More Museums in Bosnia and Herzegovina – the Sarajevo VRX Immersive Museum
Balkan | Travel | Uncategorized

Why Bosnia and Herzegovina is the perfect country for sustainable travel
ByMirella Sidro 10. October 20258. February 2026

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country that still breathes – wild, genuine and undisguised. Time seems to pass more slowly here, as if to remind us of what really matters: clear rivers, fragrant forests, fresh mountain air and encounters that are not fleeting. Wer hier reist, reist nicht nur auf der Suche nach Sehenswürdigkeiten, sondern…

Read More Why Bosnia and Herzegovina is the perfect country for sustainable travel
Art | Balkan | Uncategorized

Yoda, sheep and co – unique crochet and knitted items full of heart
ByMirella Sidro 2. October 20252. October 2025

Handmade soft toys are more than just toys – they are memories you can touch. Crocheted and knitted with love, Sana from Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina creates unique pieces that enchant children and adults alike. Each piece is a gift for life – unique, personal and full of heart. A balance full of creativity…

Read More Yoda, sheep and co – unique crochet and knitted items full of heart
Automobile | Balkan | Movie

Silent glamor on the red carpet: Porsche Sarajevo electrifies the Sarajevo Film Festival
ByMirella Sidro 9. September 20259. September 2025

At this year’s Sarajevo Film Festival, Porsche Sarajevo is once again causing a stir with an all-electric festival fleet. Film meets electromobility and shows how sustainability and glamor go together perfectly. A story of how cinema and modern mobility are taking responsibility for the future together. The evening sun bathes Sarajevo in warm gold. People…

Read More Silent glamor on the red carpet: Porsche Sarajevo electrifies the Sarajevo Film Festival
Balkan | Travel

5 mystical places in Herzegovina: holy springs, ancient cities and mysterious gravestones
ByMirella Sidro 2. September 202514. October 2025

“… V ime i otca i sina i svetoga Duha, tražio si u sebi dublje, no što tvoja dubina bješe, i šire no što tvoja širina bi …” “… In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, You have searched deeper in Yourself than Your depth and further than Your breadth…

Read More 5 mystical places in Herzegovina: holy springs, ancient cities and mysterious gravestones
Balkan | Hiking | Travel | Uncategorized

Hiking in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Beautiful mountains that don’t forgive mistakes
ByMirella Sidro 1. September 20251. September 2025

Seven Australian tourists had to be rescued at the highest and oldest mountain village of Lukomir in Bosnia and Herzegovina after they climbed Mount Obalj at night without a guide. This time everything went well. But such stories don’t always have a happy ending. Nadin Kevelj, main coordinator of the rescue operations of the GSS…

Read More Hiking in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Beautiful mountains that don’t forgive mistakes
Balkan | Personalities of the Balkans | Uncategorized

Police officers from all over the world meet at the 11th International Police Association Meeting in Sarajevo
ByMirella Sidro 24. August 202529. August 2025

Rafting on the Neretva, competitions in five sports and friendships across borders – Around 250 police officers from eight different countries meet for the eleventh IPA meeting in Sarajevo at the invitation of Muamer Klino, President of IPA Sarajevo Sarajevo to host the IPA Meeting 2025 From August 14 to 17, 2025, Sarajevo once again…

Read More Police officers from all over the world meet at the 11th International Police Association Meeting in Sarajevo
Balkan | Movie | Politics | Uncategorized

🌍 Danube Youth Organization Network (DYON): Youth moves the Danube region!
ByMirella Sidro 21. August 202529. October 2025

Origin of the idea – focus on young people and the Danube The idea for DYON was born in 2018, when I led a workshop at the Agapedia Youth Boot Camp during the 48th Methodius Day in Ellwangen, while working as a journalist for the Danube Connects Magazine. The topic was “Creative Danube”, organized by…

Read More 🌍 Danube Youth Organization Network (DYON): Youth moves the Danube region!
Automobile | Balkan | Travel

Škoda Elroq 85 test drive in Sarajevo – Electric car experiences between the city and the mountains
ByMirella Sidro 19. August 202521. August 2025

Sarajevo – a city that connects East and West like no other place in Europe. Anyone who travels here is immersed in a mixture of history, cultures and cuisine. You don’t have to travel all the way to Istanbul to experience this symbiosis – Sarajevo offers it up close. What’s more, the city is surrounded…

Read More Škoda Elroq 85 test drive in Sarajevo – Electric car experiences between the city and the mountains
Automobile | Balkan | Hiking | Travel

Mystical Bosnia-Herzegovina with Skoda Elroq: In the realm of dragons and legends
ByMirella Sidro 18. August 202519. August 2025

The mountain villages of Umoljani and Lukomir are hidden between the rugged peaks of the Dinaric Alps. Here, landscape, legend and time merge into a mysterious unity. Mist becomes dragon’s breath, rivers become living creatures – and the stars dance like scales in the sky. Umoljani – The village of praying people A fine mist…

Read More Mystical Bosnia-Herzegovina with Skoda Elroq: In the realm of dragons and legends
Automobile | Balkan | Eletromobility | Travel

🔋 Traveling through Bosnia and Herzegovina by electric car: all charging stations & tips for your road trip
ByMirella Sidro 20. June 20256. September 2026

Yes, it works – and how!Anyone who thinks a road trip through Bosnia and Herzegovina in an electric car would be a challenge will be pleasantly surprised: the charging network is growing fast, nature is breathtaking and the sustainable travel style is perfectly suited to this special country. 🌿 Why Bosnia and Herzegovina is a…

Read More 🔋 Traveling through Bosnia and Herzegovina by electric car: all charging stations & tips for your road trip
Balkan | Travel | Uncategorized

Sarajevo in the focus of the world – First International Security Conference in the world’s best travel destination 2025
ByMirella Sidro 20. June 202527. July 2025

Sarajevo – a city with history, diversity and now international recognition. Under the leadership of the IPA President of Sarajevo, Muamer Klino, an important international security conference was recently held, which not only brought together experts from various countries, but also focused on the tourism potential of the Bosnian capital. At a time when travelers…

Read More Sarajevo in the focus of the world – First International Security Conference in the world’s best travel destination 2025
Balkan | Travel | Uncategorized

🌟 Why Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the safest countries in the world to travel to
ByMirella Sidro 20. June 202513. October 2025

Bosnien und Herzegowina zählt zu den sichersten und gleichzeitig authentischsten Reisezielen Europas. Das Land überzeugt mit einer einzigartigen Kombination aus niedriger Kriminalität, herzlicher Gastfreundschaft, einer stabilen politischen Lage, einem reichen multikulturellen Erbe und einer der letzten wilden Naturlandschaften Europas. Wer echte Kultur, tiefe Geschichte und unberührte Natur erleben möchte, findet hier ein verstecktes Juwel –…

Read More 🌟 Why Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the safest countries in the world to travel to
Balkan | Politics

Young Energy Europe 2024 in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Energy Scouts for a sustainable future
ByMirella Sidro 8. January 20258. January 2025

As part of the competition Young Energy Europe competition, the best Energy Scouts 2024 from Bosnia and Herzegovina were selected on December 10. Young employees from eight companies presented innovative projects on energy efficiency and resource conservation. The competition was organized by the AHK Bosnia and Herzegovina and sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Economics…

Read More Young Energy Europe 2024 in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Energy Scouts for a sustainable future
Automobile | Balkan | Eletromobility | Personalities of the Balkans

Alex Vaszi: “Bosnia and Herzegovina offers the best conditions for successfully operating as an investor in a country close to the EU!”
ByMirella Sidro 18. September 20246. September 2026

Alex Vaszi, CEO of Porsche Sarajevo BH, is a versatile manager. His career has taken him from Austria via Slovenia, Hungary and Chile to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since graduating in business administration and computer science from the Johannes Kepler University in Linz, he has made a name for himself with his expertise in the areas…

Read More Alex Vaszi: “Bosnia and Herzegovina offers the best conditions for successfully operating as an investor in a country close to the EU!”
Art | Automobile | Balkan | Culinary | History | Personalities of the Balkans | Travel

Eco-designers, adrenaline, living history – through Herzegovina in an electric car
ByMirella Sidro 2. April 20242. April 2024

Spring is here and with it the temperatures are rising again, inviting you to take a sustainable road trip through this beautiful country. I open the season with a trip to Herzegovina last summer. The journey by electric car first takes me from Sarajevo to Mostar. There, I visit a sustainable jewelry designer in the…

Read More Eco-designers, adrenaline, living history – through Herzegovina in an electric car
Automobile | Balkan | Travel | Travel

Ford Ranger Raptor – 7 exciting days in the Balkan outback
ByMirella Sidro 1. January 202423. May 2024

We explore the magical winter landscape in Bosnia-Herzegovina with the new Ford Ranger Raptor

Read More Ford Ranger Raptor – 7 exciting days in the Balkan outback
Automobile | Personalities of the Balkans

Omer Halilhodžić: “We have created something extraordinary with Škoda Enyaq!”
ByMirella Sidro 15. November 202323. May 2024

It’s raining in Germany. I drove from Sarajevo to Mainz in a Škoda Enyaq IV 80x. About 1330 kilometers. Charging stops in total: only three times. There is a reason why I embarked on the long journey with this electrical marvel. The destination is the home of Omer Halilhodžić, one of the most important car…

Read More Omer Halilhodžić: “We have created something extraordinary with Škoda Enyaq!”
Balkan

A lot of green in Kosovo – ProCredit Bank opens first photovoltaic park
ByMirella Sidro 24. August 202316. November 2023

Thinking about Kosovo, I knew nothing about this country, except where it is located on a world map. I have never been there before even though the desire in me was great to visit it – ideally with an electric car during a road trip. Therefore, I was even more pleased to receive an invitation…

Read More A lot of green in Kosovo – ProCredit Bank opens first photovoltaic park
Balkan

ProGreen by ProCredit BiH – An account for a better world
ByMirella Sidro 3. August 202316. November 2023

How ProCredit Bank is revolutionising sustainability in Bosnia and Herzegovina Do you know what your bank does with the money you invest? Exactly! I never knew that either. Until I met the ProCredit Bank in Bosnia-Herzegovina. A credit institution from Germany, where sustainability has top priority in all criteria. I have been a customer of…

Read More ProGreen by ProCredit BiH – An account for a better world
Balkan | Personalities of the Balkans | Read

Roman TUNEL – Being Mirsad Ibisevic
ByMirella Sidro 2. August 202316. November 2023

Being Mirsad Ibisevic “I can’t believe you still haven’t read the book when you were so excited about it! Either you’re really that busy or you were expecting something else…” Yes, I was really looking forward to this book! Mirsad Ibisevic, Irish actor of Bosnian-Herzegovinian origin, I have been following on Facebook for a long…

Read More Roman TUNEL – Being Mirsad Ibisevic
Balkan | Personalities of the Balkans

Around the world with wooden bike
ByMirella Sidro 27. July 202329. August 2023

Coco-Mat Bikes Discover the world by bike? Is nothing new. But with a wooden bike it is. The 62-year-old Greek Paul Efmorfidis has already reached Norcap from Athens with his sustainable Coco-Mat bike, as well as India. Next year we are going to Katmandu to climb Mount Everest and to the Amazon River. We explored…

Read More Around the world with wooden bike
Automobile | Balkan | Travel

Be spontaneous? This works great with the VW ID.5!
ByMirella Sidro 26. July 202329. July 2023

ID.5 Per performance Imagine you have an appointment in Slovenia. And then you spontaneously decide to take a few days off. You think spontaneity with an e-car is not possible? We have tested it with the ID.5. He looks great. The ID.5 Pro Performance with 150 kW (204 hp) in Blue Dusk Metallic Black. The…

Read More Be spontaneous? This works great with the VW ID.5!
Travel | Travel

COCO-MAT BC Athens – Born of love
ByMirella Sidro 9. October 202217. November 2023

The most sustainable city hotel in the world The capital of Greece was named after the wise goddess of war, Athena. The owner of the Hotel Coco-Mat BC Athens, probably the most sustainable of hoteliers, has wisely chosen this location to build an eco-palace with the best view of the most beautiful and mysterious part…

Read More COCO-MAT BC Athens – Born of love
Automobile | Balkan | Eletromobility

With recuperation success to Albania and back – VW ID.3 Per S
ByMirella Sidro 21. September 20226. September 2026

I am already well over an hour later than I intended. Not even the border with Montenegro I have reached so far. No, it is not the hot red VW ID.3 Pro S blame. I didn’t even have to charge it when I left Sarajevo. But now the whole thing from the beginning: Around 10…

Read More With recuperation success to Albania and back – VW ID.3 Per S
Balkan

Funfly with Fedja Štukan – Back to Life
ByMirella Sidro 15. November 202122. November 2021

I am in heaven. And crying. Yes, a man actually made me cry. Not to make me sad, but to give me an incredible joy … I am on my way to the Bosnian town of Visoko. One evening before, I had met the Bosnian-Herzegovinian actor Fedja Stuka. We had talked about his book BLANK,…

Read More Funfly with Fedja Štukan – Back to Life
Balkan

BLANK by Fedja Štukan – Fulfilled emptiness
ByMirella Sidro 13. October 202120. November 2021

“How far have you come?” “You’re in psychiatry right now,” I reply. “Oh then you haven’t read that much yet! The worst is yet to come!” Fedja Štukan, actor from Sarajevo who is also internationally known, grins. I look at him a little aghast… Even worse than now? I can hardly imagine that. Until now,…

Read More BLANK by Fedja Štukan – Fulfilled emptiness
Automobile | Travel | Travel

The Sleeping Beauty in Slavic
ByMirella Sidro 23. May 20212. June 2022

ECOLOGICAL FARM TRNULJA The Sleeping Beauty in Slavic Slovenia is considered the greenest country in Europe and the place where our mobility was discovered. No wonder that one of the best organic hotels in Europe is located there. At the Trnulja eco-estate, a healthy and deep sleep is guaranteed. This is not only due to…

Read More The Sleeping Beauty in Slavic
Automobile | Balkan | Travel

Pomegranates, Figs and Co. – In the paradise of the Balkans
ByMirella Sidro 24. April 20213. June 2022

ROAD-TRIP IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA Pomegranates, Figs and Co. – In the paradise of the Balkans Mediterranean climate is responsible for the fact that Herzegovina is home to wild pomegranates and figs. But the barren natural landscape has much more to offer My Stages ROAD-TRIP IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA Pomegranates, Figs and Co. – In the paradise of the…

Read More Pomegranates, Figs and Co. – In the paradise of the Balkans
Automobile | Balkan | Travel

So close to heaven – In The Mountain Village Lukomir
ByMirella Sidro 22. April 202122. April 2021

OFF-ROAD TRIP WITH THE LANDROVER DEFENDER – PART 3 So close to heaven – In The Mountain Village Lukomir We visited Lukomir, the remote mountain idyll in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We were not only propelled back into a bygone era, but also straight into the universe! My Stages OFF-ROAD TRIP WITH THE LANDROVER DEFENDER –…

Read More So close to heaven – In The Mountain Village Lukomir
Automobile | Balkan | Personalities of the Balkans | Politics

“Electromobility could become a symbol of mobile freedom”
ByMirella Sidro 19. April 202121. May 2022

People in Bosnia and Herzegovina are fascinated by e-mobility, but are skeptical about it. Mayor of Municipality Sarajevo Center Srđan Mandić is a visionary. He is already in the process of building the first public gas station in Sarajevo. This year. I met him and asked him about it. A conversation about future urbanisation, his…

Read More “Electromobility could become a symbol of mobile freedom”
Balkan | Personalities of the Balkans | Politics

In Memoriam Jovan Divjak 11.03.1937 – 08.04.2021
ByMirella Sidro 14. April 202115. April 2021

An open letter In Memoriam Jovan Divjak 03/11/1937 – 04/08/2021 “The days of life in Sarajevo were days of love, respect and appreciation.” My Stages An open letter In Memoriam Jovan Divjak 03/11/1937 – 04/08/2021 “The days of life in Sarajevo were days of love, respect and appreciation.” My Stages “A symbol of humanity and…

Read More In Memoriam Jovan Divjak 11.03.1937 – 08.04.2021
Balkan | Eletromobility

With Audi e-tron 55 Sportback quattro 1080 kilometers from Augsburg to Sarajevo
ByMirella Sidro 24. March 202118. August 2026

Can you make a long road trip sustainable? I took the plunge and drove 1080 kilometers from Augsburg to Sarajevo alone in the Audi e-tron Sportback 55 quattro. “You’re crazy!” – My friends laugh when I tell them about my plan: a road trip from Augsburg to Sarajevo in an all-electric vehicle. A road trip…

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Automobile | Balkan | Travel

Mountain Village Umoljani – In Search of the Stone Dragon
ByMirella Sidro 21. February 20213. June 2022

Off-Road Trip with the Landrover Defender – Part 4 Mountain Village Umoljani – In Search of the Stone Dragon Bosnia and Herzegovina is full of legends that continue to come to life. Mountain village Umoljani with its petrified dragon is one of the most mysterious places in this world. My Stages Off-Road Trip with the…

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Automobile | Balkan | Travel

Swiss Cheese Made in Bosnia and Herzegovina
ByMirella Sidro 19. February 20213. June 2022

Off-Road Trip with the Landrover Defender – Part 5 Swiss Cheese Made in Bosnia and Herzegovina The best Swiss cheese can only be found in Switzerland? Not quite! We visited a cheese dairy in the Bosnian mountains and enjoyed a culinary treat. My Stages Off-Road Trip with the Landrover Defender – Part 5 Swiss Cheese…

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Automobile | Balkan | Travel

To the Wild Horses of Romanija
ByMirella Sidro 5. February 202113. February 2021

Off-Road Trip with the Landrover Defender – Part 2 To the Wild Horses of Romanija Are there any wild horses left in the nature of Europe? We went looking for them in the Romanija region of eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina! My Stages Off-Road Trip with the Landrover Defender – Part 2 To the Wild Horses…

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Automobile | Balkan | Travel

Mystical Bosnia and Herzegovina – Descent into the depths
ByMirella Sidro 26. January 20213. June 2022

Off-Road Trip with the Landrover Defender – Part 1 Mystical Bosnia and Herzegovina – Descent into the depths The Balkans are considered to be the destination of 2021. We visited Bosnia-Herzegovina and were surprised by what this small country in the heart of Europe has to offer! My Stages Off-Road Trip with the Landrover Defender…

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Travel | Balkan | Hiking

Clear Water, Canyons, and Pristine Nature – Rafting on the Neretva
ByMirella Sidro 3. July 20191. June 2022

“We’ll pick you up tomorrow at quarter to eight and take you rafting,” a beaming Amel Salihbašić, author of the Bosnian travel guide Come, Enjoy, Pass It On, tells me. I’m hesitant at first. We’d been planning to do something together for quite a while, but I wanted to go to the mountains. “Come on,”…

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Travel | Balkan | Hiking

Via Dinarica in Bosnia and Herzegovina: When Veliki Vran Showed Us the Boundaries
ByMirella Sidro 1. July 201927. July 2026

Since June 11, 2016, the White Trail of the Via Dinarica has run through Bosnia and Herzegovina. I was there for the opening to climb Mount Veliki Vran in Blidinje. We didn’t reach the summit—nature showed us our limits. “It’s great that you’re in Sarajevo right now! I have a fantastic outing planned for you,”…

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Automobile | Balkan | Travel

Belgrad – Fićo connects
ByMirella Sidro 24. March 201914. October 2021

To visit the Serbian capital Belgrade with a Fićo is a journey into the past. The legendary Yugoslavian car is currently undergoing a revial. It is at least as popular as Tito’s time in all countries of the former Yugoslavia.

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Balkan | Personalities of the Balkans

Mostar Rock School – Growing from Music!
ByMirella Sidro 9. November 201727. August 2025

The Bosnian-Herzegovinian city of Mostar has been divided into two parts since the end of the Balkan war. Catholic and Muslim children are taught separately and in different ways. The musician Orhan Maslo wants to put an end to this ethnic division and founds “Mostar Rock School”, a place where children make music together. Despite…

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Music

Dubioza Kolektiv – Rebels with a heart
ByMirella Sidro 14. January 20173. July 2025

In this episode of her show STAR IN THE CAR, Sabina Sidro welcomes the cult band Dubioza Kolektiv. A conversation about love of home, family and friendship. Dubioza Kolektiv don’t mince their words in their lyrics. They criticize the political system and its creators in the Balkans directly and bluntly. This is why they are…

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Music

Divanhana: “We sing about the history of Bosnia-Herzegovina”
ByMirella Sidro 11. June 20163. July 2025

Nadia Čatić (vocals), Neven Tunjić (piano), Nedžad Mušović (harmonica), Azur Imamović (bass guitar), Riet Čamdžić (drums) and Irfan Tahirović (drums) were studying together at the Music Academy in Sarajevo when they decided to form the band Divanhana in 2009. It doesn’t take long for them to be heard, as the music artists combine traditional Balkan…

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Music

Božo Vrećo: “My breaths and thoughts are Sevdah.”
ByMirella Sidro 28. April 20163. July 2025

The young Sevdah singer Božo Vrećo not only sings old Sevdalinke, but also writes and composes new ones. And quite successfully at that. In this interview, he explains why he is so successful. Božo Vrećo enters the stage in flowing dresses and high-heeled shoes. The fashions he wears flatter his petite and slender figure. His…

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Balkan | Movie | Personalities of the Balkans

🎬 Edin Hasanović – How a Berlin actor keeps his roots alive (Video)
ByMirella Sidro 14. April 20165. October 2025

Between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Berlin – Edin Hasanović embodies how home, humor and heart come together. Known from “Im Westen nichts Neues” and also from Tatort, the actor shows that true strength comes from roots and change. Günter Strack Television Award, nomination for the German Film Award for Best Leading Actor, Actor Award at…

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Music

Damir Imamović: “The Sevdah song ‘Sarajevo’ focuses on despair and hope”
ByMirella Sidro 24. February 20163. July 2025

“… In you are many old songs / about love, about which one must not sing / all your children will be silent / sad days, hours and minutes / they will hate and poison them / teach them to dream about the far distance …” Listening to the words of the current Sevdah song“Sarajevo”…

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Balkan | History | Politics

Christian Schwarz-Schilling on the Srebrenica genocide: “We should have had the political will to prevent a genocide in our neighborhood.”
ByMirella Sidro 11. July 201511. July 2025

“I will be ashamed to be a member of this parliament if it continues to do nothing.” Words from a politician who did not stop at doing nothing. They come from Dr. Christian Schwarz-Schilling, the former German Postal Minister, who resigned in 1992 in protest against the German government’s stance on the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina….

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Art | Balkan | History | Politics

A crocheted flower as a reminder of the genocide in Srebrenica and a symbol for a better future
ByMirella Sidro 11. July 201511. July 2025

“There are personal stories, sadness and memories in every flower. But through our handiwork we express love. Everyone who wears this flower shares this feeling and expresses their solidarity and hope that a crime like the one that took place in Bosnia-Herzegovina will never happen again,” explains Azemina Ahmedbegovic, President of the Association for Handicrafts…

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Politics

Hatidža Mehmedović from Srebrenica: “… If you ask God to find the remains of your loved ones …”
ByMirella Sidro 9. July 201511. July 2025

Hatidža Mehmedović co-founded the “Mothers of Srebrenica” association. She lost her husband and two sons in the Srebrenica genocide. They were 17 and 20 years old at the time. She told her tragic story to Bosnian journalist Elma Kazagić and returned to Vidikovac near Srebrenica in 2002. Hatidža Mehmedović died on July 22, 2018 at…

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Balkan | Culinary

Hurmašice – sweet memory of my aunt Nadja 🍯
ByMirella Sidro 19. March 20158. February 2026

My favorite is Hurmašice from my aunt Nadja. You can get this small, sweet and moist pastry everywhere in Bosnia and Herzegovina – whether in the family or in traditional pastry shops. Hurmašice are one of the most popular desserts in the Balkans – baked golden brown, drenched in sugar syrup and deliciously aromatic. Every…

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Balkan | History | Politics

Perpetrator or victim – Gavrilo Princip and the First World War
ByMirella Sidro 9. November 201413. October 2025

On the centenary of the Sarajevo assassination, participants at the international conference “The long shots of Sarajevo 1914 – 2014” are attempting to reinterpret the events. The results are surprising. South African author Tim Butcher stands in front of a rock in Obljaj in north-western Bosnia-Herzegovina. The assassin Gavrilo Princip carved his initials into this…

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History

“I want to live, work…” – Letters from Sarajevo, Croatia and Germany 1992 – 1996 (Part 2)
ByMirella Sidro 6. April 20143. July 2025

It has been 22 years since the war in Bosnia began with the first casualties in Sarajevo. In the 1425 days that followed, life in the besieged city was dominated by death and survival. I was 16 years old at the time. The years of war in my home country were characterized by hope and…

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Balkan | Culinary

Grandma’s apple pita – traditional apple pie from Croatia
ByMirella Sidro 27. October 20138. February 2026

As a child, I loved spending my vacations with my grandparents in Bosnia. My grandmother Helena was an exceptional pastry chef – no one could hold a candle to her baking skills. Although my grandparents lived in Bosnia and Herzegovina, my grandmother was originally from Slavonia, a region in eastern Croatia. This “Croatian granary” is…

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History

“I thank God that you didn’t have to experience the war” – Letters from Sarajevo and Zaostrog 1992 – 1996 (Part 1)
ByMirella Sidro 3. April 20123. July 2025

A tank drives through Sarajevo and people run away – this was the first image I saw on television when the siege of the city began on April 5, 1992. I was 16 years old at the time and didn’t understand what it meant at first. Until then, Sarajevo had been my other home, where…

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