Shows
Filling the SinkThe Tragic Week of 1909 - the birth of revolutionary BarcelonaBarcelona is the city in the world with the most extensive history of barricade fights. These words come from philosopher Friedrich Engels, and many other thinkers have pointed to Barcelona as the city of revolutions.
115 years ago, on July 25, 1909, the Catalan capital witnessed one of the first popular uprisings of the century, known as the Tragic Week or La Setmana Tràgica in Catalan.
What began as an anti-war movement opposing the conscription for the colonial war in Morroco, soon turned into an anti-clerical revolt. And it left a striking image: the Barcelona sky filled wi...2024-08-0218 minFilling the SinkBarcelona Pride 2024: Advocating for LGBTI+ educationEvery year in Catalonia, the LGBTI+ community celebrates Pride, an almost month-long celebration of events, talks, demonstrations, and more, culminating in the big Pride demonstration or Parade in Barcelona, on Saturday, July 20th.
Barcelona Pride Month is not only a celebration of the freedom to be yourself but also a moment when the community reminds everyone of the work that still needs to be done by focusing on one specific theme.
This year, the main theme of Barcelona Pride is LGBTI+ education, under the title “Education in Sexual and Gender Diversity: A pending subject”.
Or...2024-07-2023 minFilling the SinkForty years of life - the impact of assisted reproduction in Catalonia (part 2)On July 12th, 1984, the first baby was born through assisted reproduction in Barcelona and all of Spain, but the path to motherhood is not always as linear and easy as it is portrayed.
Fertility treatment is becoming more and more common throughout the world, and in Spain, one in every ten children in the Spanish state is born thanks to this technology.
This is due in particular to three factors: increasing infertility rates, a higher age for having a first child, and the access to reproductive assistance for single parents and queer couples.
...2024-07-1322 minFilling the SinkForty years of life - the impact of assisted reproduction in Catalonia (part 1)Forty years ago, on July 12th, 1984, the first baby was born through assisted reproduction in Barcelona and in all of Spain.
At the time, the news of a couple seeking help to conceive at the Barcelona Dexeus private hospital made headlines everywhere. But a lot has happened since then: in 2006, assisted reproduction became available for free through the public health system throughout Spain. Later, in 2016, a change in the law also made it possible for single mothers and queer couples to avail of the service, and by 2023, thanks to the so-called Spanish “trans law,” trans people had also...2024-07-0627 minFilling the SinkCastells - the cross-border and gravity-defying spirit of teamworkFor more than 200 years, Catalans have celebrated the sky-reaching tradition of castells, literally castles in Catalan, when groups of people gather to climb on top of each other to build the highest castle.
Although the tradition suffered waves of decline up to the point of disappearance, it experienced a renaissance in the 1980s, and in 2010 UNESCO included castells on its list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity, bringing the popularity of human towers’ popularity to unprecedented heights.
Lea Beliaeva Bander is joined by Oriol Escudé Macià to chat out the ins and outs of castells, inclu...2024-06-2923 minFilling the SinkFormula One showdown - will the Spanish Grand Prix remain in Catalonia?This year marks the 74th edition of the world’s largest motor racing event, the Formula One World Championship.
Since 1991, the Spanish Grand Prix has been held at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit in Montmeló, half an hour north of the Catalan capital.
However, this year could be one of the last times the Spanish race is held in Catalonia, as Madrid has signed a new ten-year deal with Formula One.
But with the future uncertain, the event could also be shared between the two cities, similar to the arrangements from 1969 to 1975 and later, from 2008 to...2024-06-2221 minFilling the SinkDisfrutar - inside the World’s Best RestaurantBarcelona’s haute cuisine restaurant ‘Disfrutar’ has been named the World’s Best Restaurant in the 22nd edition of the prestigious ranking “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.”
With this accolade, head chefs and creators Mateu Casañas, Oriol Castro, and Eduard Xatruch have added another star to the Catalan culinary constellation, joining the ranks of renowned establishments such as El Bulli, el Celler de Can Roca, and many others.
The name “Disfrutar”, which means “enjoy” in Spanish, reflects the restaurant’s philosophy of offering visitors an extraordinary dining experience that goes beyond just food, tapping into their senses, emotion...2024-06-1521 minFilling the SinkEuropean Election breakdown: What to expect in the next five yearsFor the past four days, EU citizens have been casting their ballots in the European Parliament elections. In Catalonia and the rest of Spain, Sunday, June 9th was the big day.
Gerard Escaich Folch joins Lea Beliaeva Bander the morning after for a Filling the Sink post-election special to break down the results in Europe, Spain, and Catalonia.
Millions of people have flocked to polling stations across the European Union to make their voices heard, and in Spain’s case, to elect the 61 representatives for Spain in the European Parliament.
The main issues in...2024-06-1023 minFilling the SinkSummer festivals guide 2024 - Primavera, Sónar, Cruïlla and much more!On May 30th, under sun, thunder, and lightning, Primavera Sound, the biggest festival in Spain descended on Barcelona’s Parc del Fòrum for the 22nd time, kicking off this year’s summer festival season in Catalonia.
With a solid mix of Catalan summer hits, rock bangers, catchy pop tunes, and international names such as Lana Del Rey, Pulp, Deftones, and Troye Sivan, the 268,000 attendees were in for the party of the year.
We talk to the up-and-coming Catalan artist Mama Dousha, whose infectious dance tune ‘Rikiti’ has everyone on the dancefloor, about what it is like b...2024-06-0822 minFilling the SinkSnail tales - Celebrating the annual Catalan Snail GatheringSince 1980, at the end of May, the western Catalan city of Lleida becomes the snail center of Catalonia, where hundreds of people get together to celebrate the annual Catalan Snail Gathering, or l’Aplec del cargol in Catalan.
Fans of the tiny molluscs unite for a weekend of gastronomy, but also of competitions, concerts, and the Catalan human towers, castells.
For this last edition of the festival, a whopping 15 tons of snails were devoured by hungry participants, many of whom washed down the delicacy with cold beer.
Oriol Escudé Macià and Ona Van Dyck...2024-06-0120 minFilling the SinkCatalonia’s renting realities - when laws fall shortFinding affordable housing has long been a problem in Catalonia and Spain, and in March, the Spanish government introduced a reference index for rent prices to keep them from rising.
But the new rent cap created loopholes and had the opposite effect of increasing prices on short-term leases, while long-term housing became even harder to find.
In response, the Catalan government rushed through regulations but failed to garner the support to make it a permanent law.
Cillian Shields and Ona Van Dyck join Lea Beliaeva Bander to explain the different housing laws and...2024-05-2522 minFilling the SinkCatalan election - unionist gains, pro-independence losses, and what’s nextThe Catalan snap election is over, and the voters gave the Catalan Socialist Party, PSC, a whopping 28% of the vote, which translates into 42 seats. But falling short of an absolute majority of 68 seats, the results mean that the Socialists now have to find new alliances to form a government.
This episode of Filling the Sink was recorded bright and early on the first morning of the new political cycle.
Gerard Eschaich Folch joins Lea Beliaeva Bander to break down the election results and answer the question: who will govern Catalonia for the next four years...2024-05-1317 minFilling the SinkBeyond the mustache - Exploring the surreal world of Salvador DalíOn May 11, we celebrate the 120th anniversary of the birth of the legendary Catalan artist Salvador Dalí, whose influence on the art world continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
The surrealist painter was born in the northern Catalan town of Figueres, but spent most of his life in the picturesque coastal towns of Cadaques and Port Lligat, from where he drew much of his inspiration.
Although Dalí was best known for his surrealist art and eccentricities - including his mustache, which we will talk about - there is so much more to discover.
In thi...2024-05-1124 minFilling the SinkEarly endings and future beginnings - 2024 Catalan election previewThe Catalan election season is in full swing – once again.
On March 18th, Catalan President Pere Aragonès announced that he was dissolving the Catalan parliament and calling for a snap election on May 12th.
The news came after the government failed to secure a majority to pass the 2024 budget.
Calling for early elections in Catalonia is nothing new, as it has been 14 years since a government last served the full four-year term, and in the 21st century, the Catalans have only held two elections when they should have.
On this wee...2024-05-0424 minFilling the SinkBooks, roses and legends - Celebrating Sant Jordi in CataloniaSant Jordi or Saint George is the patron saint of Catalonia, and April 23 is the day when Catalans celebrate love, roses, romance, and also books.
This week's episode is recorded from the bookshop Backstory in the heart of Barcelona.
We explain what makes this day special and why people give each other roses and books. We learn about the legend of Sant Jordi and how this day became World Book Day promoted by UNESCO in 1995.
We meet international authors Monika Zgustová, Hernan Díaz, and Sohn Won-pyung, talk to people on the streets of th...2024-04-2427 minFilling the SinkShifting sands - Beneath Catalonia’s coastal changesAs the weather gets warmer, more and more people will want to go to the beach. But lately, some of the beaches in Catalonia have looked quite different.
In some places, the beaches look like they have been swallowed by the sea. The reason for this is the recent storm Nelson, which hit the Catalan coast during this past Easter. Nelson caused an unprecedented loss of sand on some of Catalonia’s beaches, in some cases reducing the width of the beach by 25 meters.
However, this phenomenon is not new and is becoming more and more...2024-04-2020 minFilling the SinkOff the runway: exploring sustainability and inclusivity at 080 Barcelona FashionBarcelona’s take on fashion week is the bi-annual event 080 Barcelona Fashion, which this season runs from April 9 to April 12.
The event has been held at the Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site since 2013, and during the 33rd edition celebrated this week, a mix of 24 emerging designers and established brands presented their idea of what should be in vogue in 2024.
Over the years, 080 Barcelona Fashion has gone from being a locally focused event to catching the eye of the international fashion world, thanks to its unique mix of Catalan textile tradition, sustainability, and diversity.
In t...2024-04-1320 minFilling the SinkClimbing Catalonia: Scaling new heights with indoor and outdoor boulderingThe number of indoor climbing gyms in Catalonia has multiplied by four in just ten years, making climbing a lifestyle phenomenon and another way of connecting with people.
At the same time, the mountainous landscapes of Catalonia have become some of the most visited destinations for outdoor climbing.
In this episode, Oriol Escudé Macià joins Lea Beliaeva Bander to chat about the Catalan bouldering boom, and we also discuss whether it’s a sport that is accessible to all.
We visit Sharma Climbing, the largest climbing gym in Spain, owned by American climber Chris S...2024-04-0621 minFilling the SinkBehind bars: from model prison to overcrowded agony – the story of La ModelThis year marks the 120th anniversary of the opening of the notorious La Model prison, located in the Eixample district of Barcelona.
The facility closed in 2017 and has since become a site for Catalan historic memory, open to the public. Behind its high beige walls lies the history of a prison that sought to be exemplary, but during the Franco dictatorship held thousands of political prisoners, many of whom were tortured or executed.
Cillian Shields joins Lea Beliaeva Bander to talk about the agonizing history of La Model and its impending transformation into a place of l...2024-03-3022 minFilling the SinkMobile-free zones: How a parent initiative led to the restriction of phones in Catalan schoolsIn January 2024, the Catalan government joined other European countries in the fight to regulate the use of mobile phones by young children.
A new set of regulations restricting the use of mobile phones in Catalan primary or secondary schools starting from the 2024/2025 academic year saw the light of day.
But the idea behind the regulations didn’t come from the Catalan politicians themselves, but from the parent initiative Adolescència Lliure de Mòbil, A Phone-free Adolescence, which started in the Barcelona neighborhood of Poblenou in November 2023, and soon spread to other parts of the Catalan...2024-03-2322 minFilling the SinkAnd the Oscar goes to... Catalonia's Hollywood adventureSociety of the Snow and Robot Dreams miss out on coveted Academy Awards, but plenty of fun is had along the way.
In Los Angeles, Natàlia Segura catches up with the nominees – Barcelona filmmaker JA Bayona, director of Society of the Snow, Montse Ribé and David Martí, nominated in the Best Makeup and Hairstyling category for their work on the same film, and Pablo Berger, director of Catalan production Robot Dreams, nominated for Best Animated Feature.
On the big night itself, Natàlia heads to an Oscars party at the Teleferic Barcelona in LA, meets a...2024-03-1124 minFilling the Sink10 women who changed CataloniaMarch 8 is International Women's Day. To mark the occasion, Filling the Sink pays homage to ten women who changed Catalonia.
Writer Caterina Albert (aka Victor Català), educator Francesca Bonnemaison, anarcho-syndicalist Teresa Claramunt, trans activist Silvia Reyes, flamenco dancer Carmen Amaya, operatic soprano Montserrat Caballé, singer and songwriter Rosalía, chef Carme Ruscalleda, middle-distance runner Carmen Valero, and footballer Alexia Putellas.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'Visca la lluita feminista' – 'Long live the feminist struggle'. Presented by Lorcan Doherty with Lea Beliaeva Bander.
2024-03-0822 minFilling the SinkInside Mobile World Congress 2024 – AI, quantum tech, aviation innovation and Catalan startupsThe world's biggest mobile technology fair is taking place in Barcelona once again, but Mobile World Congress goes way beyond phones. MWC 2024 showcases all kinds of emerging technology from tech giants such as Samsung, Google, Huawei and Microsoft, with artificial intelligence the buzzword on everyone's lips.
Lorcan Doherty chats AI with Mobileum founder Avnish Chauhan, Dell's beer guy (and business development manager) Warren Jackson, and IMA CEO Eyal Reshef.
Lea Beliaeva Bander talks to two Catalan companies at 4YFN (Four Years from Now), the startup space at MWC: Francesco Pititto, CEO of Envjoy Nature, and Dh...2024-02-2825 minFilling the SinkCatalan farmers' protests: Why are they demonstrating?All across Europe, farmers are protesting, stopping traffic with their tractors to sound the alarm on what many feel is the slow death of the agricultural sector.
On February 6, Catalan farmers drove their tractors out of the fields, draped them with slogans such as “La nostra fi, la vostra fam”, or “Our end, your hunger” and marched slowly but determinedly toward Barcelona in one of the largest coordinated protests in years.
We hear from 12 farmers who took part in the protests about the disappointments, demands, and dreams of a sector that feels neglected as it deals wit...2024-02-2415 minFilling the SinkCatalan Wikipedia – community, knowledge, language and cultureViquipèdia, the Catalan version of the free, collaborative online encyclopedia, is a real success story, with almost 750,000 articles and over 1,000 active editors.
Wikipedians Xavier Dengra and Àlex Hinojo explain what drives them to volunteer their free time and contribute their knowledge to the project.
Lea Beliaeva chats to Núria Ribas, president of Amical Wikipedia, and Carme Fenoll, a wikipedian and librarian, about gender bias on the website and how Viquipèdia is trying to increase diversity, in terms of contributors and content.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'ser un setciències'. Liter...2024-02-1724 minFilling the SinkRecord year – Barcelona's booming vinyl sceneRecord stores and listening bars are popping up everywhere in Barcelona. Vinyl sales in Catalonia surpassed CD sales in 2023 for the first time since the 1980s. Why has this old, impractical way of listening to music gained popularity in a time when everyone can access whatever music they want on their phones?
Lorcan Doherty joins Lea Beliaeva Bander to chat about the vinyl revival. Carlos from Surco and Marc from Wah Wah explain how it is affecting two of the city's older record stores. David Ayllón from the cultural association Salvadiscos talks about the social side o...2024-02-1025 minFilling the SinkGirona FC – the tiny Catalan football club making it bigCatalonia's number one football team has always been FC Barcelona, until now!
Tiny Girona FC are making it big, battling it out at the top of La Liga in just their fourth season ever in Spain's top division.
Cillian Shields joins Lorcan Doherty to chat about the players and manager making the miracles happen.
Pepe Sierra, a Girona fanatic and president of the federation of Girona supporters' clubs, and Eduard Solà, a journalist at Catalunya Ràdio who has covered Girona for many years, talk about what the club and this season means to...2024-02-0324 minFilling the SinkSpotlight on education – Poor PISA results raise questions for Catalan schoolsFilling the Sink turns the spotlight on education after Catalonia finished almost bottom of the class in Spain in the latest PISA international tests, sat by students around the world in reading, maths, and science.
The results have raised questions for Catalan schools: what's behind the decline, and what can be done about it? Have changes in education gone too far, or not far enough?
Oriol Escudé joins Lorcan Doherty to discuss the issues and hear the views of Mònica Nadal, research director of the Fundació Bofill, Xavier Massó, a secondary school teacher and gene...2024-01-2723 minFilling the SinkCensored, prohibited, vandalized - inside Barcelona’s Museum of Forbidden ArtThe Museum of Forbidden Art is the first of its kind in the world, displaying art pieces that were censored or banned at some point in history and in various different countries. Whether the reason was political, social or religious, these works have now found a new home in Barcelona.
In this episode, we’ll hear from the people behind the museum and look back at the history of censorship under Francisco Franco's dictatorship.
The Catalan phrase of the week is: "Caure la cara de vergonya," which translates to "Shame on you."
Presented by...2024-01-2021 minFilling the SinkHow Catalonia’s Roma community keeps the Romani language aliveRomani is the main language of the Roma community, and one of the biggest minority languages in Europe - estimated to be spoken by millions of people. But because the Roma people have been persecuted for centuries, their language and culture have suffered tremendously.
In this episode, we're going to talk about the origins of the Romani language and where it stands today. We're also going to hear from two Roma activists, who are spreading awareness about their history, culture and language.
The phrase of the week is in Romani: "Ma krisaren i pustik Katar...2024-01-1318 minFilling the SinkA look back at 2023 - elections, drought and celebrity break-upsReporter Lorcan Doherty joins Lucía Benavides to take a look back at this year's top Catalan news. There were local and national elections, a new amnesty law for Catalan pro-independence leaders, the ongoing drought that's left reservoirs at 18 percent full.
And there were also big-name celebrity break-ups and cultural heritage celebrations across the territory.
The Catalan phrase of the week is: "Fer campana," which translates literally to "Do a bell," and is used when referring to skipping school or work.2023-12-3022 minFilling the SinkThe Father of Catalan Modernism - How Lluís Domènech i Montaner started a movementArchitect Lluís Domènech i Montaner is best known for designing Barcelona’s famous Palau de la Música Catalana and the Sant Pau Hospital, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. But he was also a renowned professor, with big-name students like Antoni Gaudí, and a key figure in Catalan politics. This week marks a hundred years since his death on December 27, 1923.
The Catalan phrase of the week is: "Alt com un Sant Pau," which translates literally to "Tall like Saint Paul," and is used when referring to a very tall person.
Presen...2023-12-2322 minFilling the SinkAntoni Tàpies’ centenary - Avant garde art that makes you thinkThis week marks 100 years since the birth of one of Catalonia's most renowned artists of the 20th century: Antoni Tàpies. He's best known for his abstract art and avant-garde works, which experimented with materials such as wood, marble dust, chairs and socks. In this episode, we’ll hear from museum curators on why Tàpies’ work is still relevant today and get an intimate look into the artist’s home life from Tàpies’ very own son.
The Catalan quote of the week was said by Antoni Tàpies in 1990: "My illusion is to have something to transmit...2023-12-1623 minFilling the SinkAll you need is water – Catalonia confronts historic droughtCatalonia is experiencing the worst drought on record, with reservoirs as low as 18 percent and local governments preparing for drastic measures – such as shipping in fresh water. And this is due, in large part, to climate change. For years, the territory has been getting hotter and drier weather, leading to drained reservoirs, wildfires and lost harvests. In this episode, we’ll talk to an environmental organization about what more should be done and to a farmer’s union on how the agriculture industry is affected.
The Catalan phrase of the week is: "El peix que es mossega la cua...2023-12-0920 minFilling the SinkHot plates, haute cuisine - Growing a more sustainable culinary worldCatalonia has the most Michelin stars in all of Spain - with a whopping 70 in all. The last three stars were added just this week, at a gala held in Barcelona to announce the restaurants that would be included in the 2024 Michelin Guide to Spain. One of them is a Barcelona joint, Disfrutar, that was given its third star – the highest achievement in the guide’s ranking.
In this episode, we’ll talk about Catalonia’s world-renowned cuisine and visit a restaurant in Igualada, Somiatruites, that has a Green Michelin star for its focus on sustainability.
The Cat...2023-12-0224 minFilling the SinkOlive you at a lower price - what’s behind the high cost of basic food products?These days, going grocery shopping is making more of a dent in our wallets than usual. The cost of many basic food products – including olive oil, milk and eggs – has risen more than thirty percent in just two years. That’s due to several factors; among them, the ongoing inflation across much of Europe. But shoppers aren’t the only ones affected by price increases – farmers are just as fazed.
In this episode, we’ll hear from the Catalan Farmers Union and talk to Barcelona residents about how they’ve changed their shopping habits.
The Catalan phrase...2023-11-2517 minFilling the SinkPedro Sánchez reelection – and the amnesty deal that made it possibleSocialist leader Pedro Sánchez was sworn in as prime minister on Friday, bringing an end to a four-month long saga of inconclusive results from the July elections. The new coalition government with left-wing Sumar was made possible by the support of smaller parties like Catalan pro-independence Esquerra Republicana and Junts, securing Sánchez a total of 179 votes in the 350-member chamber. But the re-election comes with a controversial amnesty deal that would benefit those involved in the Catalan pro-independence push of the last decade, including exiled political leaders.
The Catalan phrase of the week is: "Tarda d’...2023-11-1820 minFilling the SinkWe are 8 million - Catalonia’s older, densely-packed and foreign-born populationCatalonia has reached a new population record of 8 million residents. The growth has come quicker than ever before - jumping by 1 million inhabitants in just 17 years. And that’s despite having some of the lowest fertility rates in the world. So, how does the math add up? Well, there are two main factors at play: people are living longer and there are more foreign-born residents.
In this episode, we’ll get reactions from a range of people on the street and talk to Albert Esteve, director of the Center for Demographic Studies.
The Catalan phrase of t...2023-11-1124 minFilling the SinkFrom neither here nor there - what’s it like to integrate in Catalonia?There are around 1.6 million foreign-born residents in Catalonia, almost 400,000 of whom live in Barcelona. They come from all over the world: Pakistan, China, Venezuela, Senegal, Romania. But the stats don’t tell us the full story. Why did they come here? Are they adapting to life in Catalonia? Do they feel at home or completely out of place?
In this episode, we’ll hear from a number of migrants who spoke to us at the Barcelona International Community Day and talk to cross-cultural management professor Marina Ruiz Tada.
Presented by Lucía Benavides with Gerard Escai...2023-11-0423 minFilling the SinkNo place like home - Barcelona’s social housing shortageBarcelona has one of the lowest subsidy rates for public housing in all of Europe: only 1.7% of rental properties are designated for social housing. Compared to other EU countries, where the average rate is 18%, the Catalan capital's situation looks pretty grim. In this episode, we’ll learn about one of the first social housing projects in Barcelona, the cases barates of the Bon Pastor neighborhood, and talk to grassroots activists from the Platform for Mortgage Victims to understand what can be done today. The Catalan phrase of the week is "com a casa no hi ha res," which translates to "...2023-10-2821 minFilling the Sink100 years of Joan Oró - the man who wanted to understand the origin of lifeThis month marks what would have been Catalan biochemist Joan Oró’s 100th birthday. His ground-breaking research on the origin of life granted him fame in the 1950s, leading to important collaborations with NASA on the possibility of life on other planets. In this episode, we take a trip back through his extraordinary life to learn about his contributions to science and his investment in academic organizations in Catalonia. Presented by Lucía Benavides with Cillian Shields.
2023-10-2125 minFilling the SinkTikTok sensations - how social media is changing BarcelonaMany of you may have heard the term “Instagrammable,” which refers to places that are so beautiful or unique, they’d make for a perfect Instagram photo. As a result, these spots sometimes become famous on social media, drawing hundreds or thousands of travelers - who mostly just want to take a photo there. And Barcelona is no exception. In this episode, we will visit churrerías, bakeries, food markets and hills with panoramic views. Presented by Lucía Benavides with Emma Monrós and Lea Beliaeva.
2023-10-1418 minFilling the SinkCatalan in Congress - now an official language, could the EU be next?As of September 19, Spanish MPs can address Congress in Catalan for the first time ever - as well as Basque and Galician. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez agreed to pro-independence parties’ demands to grant these three languages official parliamentary status. Some see it as a move towards a more plural and multilingual Spain. The next step is the European Union - where Catalan could become the 25th official language there.
2023-10-0723 minFilling the SinkAnimal welfare law – pets protected, hunting dogs and bullfighting exemptedNew animal welfare legislation comes into effect across Spain with increased fines for abuse and new obligations for pet owners, but it hasn’t been without controversy.
An exemption for hunting dogs divided public opinion and the coalition government, while bullfighting continues to enjoy protected legal status as "cultural heritage."
Carlos Sánchez from pro-hunting organization Artemisan Foundation and Brooke Spurling from animal rights group AnimaNaturalis share their thoughts on the new law.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'buscar tres peus al gat'. Literally, 'to look for three feet on the cat', it mea...2023-09-3024 minFilling the SinkTrue crime – when life is stranger than fictionAs the real-life case of the murder of a Barcelona police officer is given the Netflix treatment, Filling the Sink looks at true crime stories in Catalonia.
Actors Úrsula Corberó and Quim Gutiérrez from eight-part dramatization 'Burning Body' discuss how they blend fiction and reality.
Anna Punsí, content director at True Crime Factory explains the appeal and success of 'Crims', Catalonia's favorite true crime podcast and TV series.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'la realitat supera la ficció' – 'life is stranger than fiction'.
Presented by Lorcan Doherty with Emma Monrós...2023-09-2323 minFilling the SinkAmerica’s Cup – Barcelona counts down to sailing’s most prestigious regattaNot your typical Sunday regatta – think Formula 1 on water – the America's Cup is coming to Barcelona.
Cillian Shields chats to event CEO Grant Dalton of defending champions Emirates Team New Zealand.
Enrico Voltolini and Francesco Bruni from Italy's Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team and Stephan Kandler and Quentin Delapierre from France's Orient Express team tell Emma Monrós how their preparations are going.
Gerard Escaich Folch joins Cillian to sample the atmosphere at the first preliminary regatta in Vilanova i la Geltrú.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'amb bona mar tothom és marin...2023-09-1624 minFilling the SinkDiada 2023 – Pro-indy movement holds balance of power after Spanish electionFilling the Sink takes the pulse of the political situation ahead of Catalonia’s National Day, La Diada, a big focal point for the independence camp.
Exiled former president Carles Puigdemont and his party Junts hold the balance of power after July's inconclusive general election in Spain – could an amnesty or referendum be on the cards?
Expert analysis from Marc Guinjoan, associate professor at the Open University of Catalonia.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'ser un corcó' – to be a pain in the ass!
Presented by Lorcan Doherty with Gerard Escaich...2023-09-0923 minFilling the SinkOne born every minute? – Catalonia’s record low fertility rateWhat is behind Catalonia's falling birth rate and is it a cause for concern?
Interviews with Antonio López-Gay from Barcelona's Centre for Demographic Studies and Dr Ximena Justo from Barcelona IVF.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'donar a llum.' Literally 'to give light,' it means to give birth.
Presented by Lorcan Doherty with Emma Monrós and Cillian Shields.
2023-09-0220 minFilling the SinkCycling in Catalonia – Riding hotspot Girona and La Vuelta kicks off from BarcelonaAs Catalonia hosts the first four stages of La Vuelta 2023, Filling the Sink visits Girona to discover what makes the area so perfect for cycling.
Cillian Shields chats to Pro Cycling Outlet's Dave Walsh, Eat Sleep Cycle's Lee Comerford, cyclist-cum-coffee shop owner Christian Meier, and Latifa Al-Yassin and Noura Al-Ameeri, two members of the Kuwaiti national team.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'anar a pinyó fix.' Literally 'to go by fixed-gear [bike],' it can be used to describe someone who is inflexible.
Presented by Lorcan Doherty.
2023-08-2525 minFilling the SinkYoung entrepreneurs – from fashion to fruit, microelectronics to meals at workSuccess stories from young Catalan entrepreneurs who started their own businesses from scratch.
With Bruno Casanovas of fashion label Nude Project, Carla Gómez of microelectronic soldering company The Ker, Nora Vallcorba of Nora Real Food, and Oriol Aldomà of Talkual, who deliver imperfect fruit and veg to households across Spain.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'qui no s'arrisca, no pisca,' similar to 'you gotta risk it to get the biscuit' in English.
Presented by Lorcan Doherty with Gerard Escaich Folch.
2023-08-1819 minFilling the SinkSomorrostro and the hidden history of Barcelona’s shanty towns Barcelona’s image today is one of a modern, European city, but within living memory a very different Barcelona existed, a forgotten city of shanty towns known as barraques.
Cristina Tomàs White joins Lorcan Doherty to look at the hidden history of places like Somorrostro. Today, a popular beach in Barceloneta, it was once home to up to 15,000 people living in shacks and huts built on sand.
TV3 journalist and documentary maker Alonso Carnicer talks about the making of his 2010 film, 'Barraques. La ciutat oblidada' (Shanty towns – The Forgotten City).
This week's Catal...2023-08-0424 minFilling the SinkThe Sugar Boy – The life and times of anarcho-syndicalist Salvador SeguíSalvador Seguí, known as El noi del sucre, The Sugar Boy, was a key figure in Catalonia's impassioned, revolutionary and deadly workers' movement in the early 20th century.
100 years on from his death – he was shot dead aged just 35 – an exhibition in Barcelona's Palau Robert remembers this larger-than-life character’s contribution to Catalan society and to the worldwide fight for better working conditions.
Cillian Shields chats to exhibition curator Sergi Martín and joins Lorcan Doherty to discuss the life and times of the anarcho-syndicalist who helped bring about the 40-hour working week.
This wee...2023-07-2923 minFilling the SinkPasseig de Gràcia – 200 years of Barcelona’s grandest boulevardHome to architectural masterpieces, luxury brands and very expensive flats, Passeig de Gràcia is celebrating 200 years.
Emma Monrós and Cillian Shields join Lorcan Doherty to look at the fascinating history of this street, a place to walk for walking's sake, shaped by feuding families trying to outdo one another by building ever-grander homes.
Eva Pomares guides us around one of them, Palau Robert, a former private mansion now owned by the Catalan government and converted into a space for concerts and exhibitions.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'escampar la boira'. Literally 'c...2023-07-2222 minFilling the SinkLGBTQI+ in Catalonia – Pride and the fight for equalityAs Barcelona celebrates Pride, Cristina Tomàs White and Kate Naessens join Lorcan Doherty to chat about the history of gay and trans rights in Catalonia, from the oppression of the Franco regime to this year's so-called 'trans law'.
Albert Carrasco from the Observatory Against Homophobia explains some of the discrimination still faced by the LGBTQI+ community today.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'viu i deixa viure' – live and let live.
2023-07-1520 minFilling the SinkSpanish election preview – polls, permutations and a look back on the last four yearsOn July 23, Spain goes to the polls again, this time for a snap general election.
Guifré Jordan joins Lorcan Doherty to chat about what the polls say, the potential coalitions, who might end up in La Moncloa and what impact the far-right in government could have on Catalonia.
Emma Monrós and Gerard Escaich Folch look back on the last term.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'tocar el dos.' Literally 'to touch the two,' it means to leave or to flee.
2023-07-0824 minFilling the SinkBuckle up and cool down – Catalonia’s amusement parks and water parksBuckle up! Filling the Sink goes on a roller coaster ride through Catalonia’s theme parks and water parks.
We venture into ‘Uncharted’ territory at PortAventura, checking out the park's new dark ride, based on the hit video game and movie of the same name.
Plus, a guide to various parks, past and present, and a look at how some water parks are coping with the ongoing drought.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'fer dentetes.' Literally 'making small teeth,' it means to make someone envious.
Presented by Lorcan Doherty with Kate...2023-07-0124 minFilling the SinkThe magic of Sant Joan – bonfires, firecrackers, coques and moreBona revetlla! Saint John’s Eve, June 23, is a noisy, all-night affair of food and drink, music and dancing, fireworks and bonfires.
Emma Monrós and Guifré Jordan join Lorcan Doherty to chat about the magic of the shortest night of the year (almost!) – midnight swimming, watching the sunrise, jumping over bonfires, eating coques, drinking cava and setting off firecrackers.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'posar més llenya al foc' – to put more wood on the fire.
2023-06-2323 minFilling the SinkWater polo – how Catalonia became a mecca for world’s top playersCatalonia is one of the world’s water polo hotspots. Catalan clubs are among the top teams in Europe and dominate the Spanish league.
Atlètic-Barceloneta's Felipe Perrone, four-time Olympian and captain of the Spanish national team, chats to Gerard Escaich Folch about how Barcelona became a mecca for the sport and the recent successes of his club and Spain's men's and women's teams.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'anar peix.' Literally 'to go fish,' it means to be unprepared for something.
Presented by Lorcan Doherty.
2023-06-1721 minFilling the SinkWhat makes us human? Catalonia’s role in biggest ever primate genome studyThe most comprehensive investigation into primate genomes, recently published, shed new light on features of primate evolution, human disease and biodiversity conservation.
Filling the Sink chats to some of the researchers in Catalonia that played their part in this groundbreaking international study: Tomàs Marquès-Bonet from the Institute of Evolutionary Biology at Pompeu Fabra University, and Ivo Gut, director of CNAG, the National Center for Genomic Analysis.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'fer el mico.' Literally, 'to do the monkey,' it means to act silly, horse around, monkey around.
Presented by...2023-06-1021 minFilling the SinkPrimavera, Sónar and more! Summer festivals 2023Festival season kicks off in Catalonia with the biggest of the lot, Primavera Sound.
Gerard Escaich Folch heads to Parc del Fòrum and talks to music lovers attending from around the world.
Up-and-coming Catalan artist Ven'nus performs live and explains how writing songs is like music therapy for her.
Cillian Shields and Alan Ruiz Terol join Lorcan Doherty for a rundown of the big concerts and festivals to look out for this summer.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'sobre gustos no hi ha res escrit,' or, 'there is nothing w...2023-06-0324 minFilling the SinkCatalonia’s local election results – Trias takes BCN and Socialists surgeGuifré Jordan joins Lorcan Doherty for analysis of the local election results.
The Socialists surge to top spot in Catalonia but are edged out in Barcelona by former mayor Xavier Trias, while Ada Colau slips to third.
The People's Party double their vote share and far-right Vox make breakthroughs across Catalonia.
This week's Catalan phrase is "estar amb l'ai al cor." Literally, "to be with the "oh" in your heart," it means to have your heart in your mouth or to be holding your breath.
2023-05-2923 minFilling the SinkCruising for a bruising? – Barcelona’s cruise ship debate rumbles onBarcelona is Europe's busiest cruise port, with around 800 cruise ships carrying more than 3 million passengers a year.
Cillian Shields joins Lorcan Doherty to discuss the cruise industry's economic impact, environmental issues and its role in the debate on tourism.
Featuring contributions from Alfredo Serrano of Cruise Lines International Association, Marta Ribera of the Observatory Desk NGO, Misael Alerm of Stop Cruises Tarragona and Fernando Pacheco of MSC Cruises.
This week's Catalan phrase is "arribar a bon port." Literally, "to reach a good port," it's used when something ends well.
2023-05-2024 minFilling the SinkLocal elections 2023 – tight races throughout CataloniaCatalonia goes to the polls on Sunday, May 28, with voters in almost 1,000 municipalities set to choose the new makeup of their city and town councils and ultimately their new mayor.
Cristina Tomàs White and Guifré Jordan join Lorcan Doherty to look at some of the most hotly contested council battles, including an unprecedented four-horse race for mayor in Barcelona.
This week's Catalan phrase is "estar com gat i gos," which means "to fight like cats and dogs."
2023-05-1324 minFilling the SinkBruce Springsteen – Born in the USA, adored in BCNBruce Springsteen has legions of fans all around the world but 'The Boss' has an undoubted special connection with Barcelona and its people.
Filling the Sink captures the atmosphere at the Olympic Stadium before, during and after the gig as Springsteen and the E Street Band kick off their European tour.
Music journalist Jordi Bianciotto and concert promoter Gay Mercader recall the American rocker's first concert in Barcelona in 1981 and discuss the bond between Bruce and his fans in Catalonia.
This week's Catalan phrase is "portar la veu cantant." Literally, "to bring your...2023-05-0620 minFilling the SinkThe Negreira affair – FC Barcelona and the referee payments scandalFC Barcelona look set to win their first league title since 2019 but off the pitch the club has been engulfed by a scandal over payments to a former refereeing official. A court investigation into the so-called Negreira affair began in March, but club president Joan Laporta believes Barça is a victim of a smear campaign. Cillian Shields joins Lorcan Doherty to dissect the ins and outs of the case and all the furore surrounding it. This week's Catalan phrase is "no treure'n l'aigua clara." It means "to not see things clearly," or "to not clear things up."
2023-04-2924 minFilling the SinkLibraries of Catalonia – architectural wonders and hidden gemsTo mark the Sant Jordi weekend, Filling the Sink explores some of Catalonia's beautiful libraries and the hidden gems in the collections within.
Guifré Jordan visits Catalonia's very own 'Library of Alexandria', the Biblioteca de Catalunya, and discovers its secrets with library director Eugènia Serra.
Gerard Escaich Folch chats to Josep Brunet at the oldest public library in Barcelona, Biblioteca Pública Arús, and learns about the freemason and anarchist who founded it.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'ser com un llibre obert' – 'to be like an open book'.
Presen...2023-04-2223 minFilling the SinkFrom sketch to screen – the Catalan artists designing Hollywood’s favorite animated movie charactersThe Barcelona-based award-winning Grangel Studio has worked on some of the biggest animated feature films of the last decades, from The Prince of Egypt and Madagascar to Kung Fu Panda and the Oscar-winning Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio.
Character designer Carlos Grangel chats to Gerard Escaich Folch about collaborating with top Hollywood directors, never working on sequels, and speaking Spanglish to Steven Spielberg.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'tenir la paella pel mànec'. Literally 'to have the pan by the handle', it means to be in control, to run the show.
Presented by L...2023-04-1524 minFilling the SinkPicasso – How should the artist be remembered 50 years on?Filling the Sink examines the legacy of Pablo Picasso on the 50th anniversary of his death. Cristina Tomàs White and Cillian Shields join Lorcan Doherty to chat about the artist's formative years in Catalonia. Maria Choya shows us around Barcelona's Picasso Museum. Artist María Llopis discusses Picasso's toxic relationships with women. This week's Catalan phrase is "quatre gats." Literally "four cats," it means "only a few people."
2023-04-0725 minFilling the SinkBarcelona’s Civil War bomb shelters, 85 years on85 years on from the Bombing of Barcelona, a new photography exhibition aims to shine a light on the air raid shelters that saved so many lives during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). Cristina Tomàs White visits one of the bunkers and meets Manel Bachs, a 90-year- old who still remembers fleeing underground when the air raid sirens warned of Franco’s Nationalist forces approaching along with their Nazi German and fascist Italian allies. Gerard Escaich Folch gets a surprise when he talks to Ana Sánchez, the photographer behind the exhibition '1,322 Barcelona air raid shelters' at La Model...2023-04-0123 minFilling the SinkOne of a kind – Cerdanya Hospital, Europe’s first cross-border health centerNestled high in the Pyrenees lies a unique European experiment – Cerdanya Hospital, jointly financed and governed by Catalonia and France, and caring for patients on both sides of the border.
Managing director Xavier Conill explains how the hospital operates and the particular challenges it faces, from registering births and deaths in the right country to attracting staff and patients from both jurisdictions.
This week's Catalan phrase is "advocat, jutge i doctor, com més lluny millor." It means "lawyer, judge and doctor, the further away, the better."
Presented by Lorcan Doherty with Gerard Esca...2023-03-2420 minFilling the SinkMajor cyberattacks in Catalonia – how, why, and what happens nextOn March 5, 2023, a cyberattack wreaked havoc on Hospital Clínic, one of Barcelona's leading public hospitals, causing surgery and appointments to be cancelled and forcing staff to work with pen and paper.
Marc Torrens of ESADE Business School explains how ransomware attacks like this work.
Jordi Hernández of the Autonomous University of Barcelona tells Cristina Tomàs White the lessons they learned after a data breach in 2021.
Plus the thoughts of David López, a cybersecurity expert at IPM, and Tomàs Roy, director of the Catalan Cybersecurity Agency.
This week...2023-03-1723 minFilling the SinkMaria Branyas – the oldest person in the worldIn January 2023 US-born Catalan woman Maria Branyas became the oldest verified living person in the world and on March 4 she celebrated her 116th birthday. To mark the occasion, Guifré Jordan revisits an interview he did with Maria in 2019.
Sam Green, an American filmmaker who recently travelled to Catalonia to record with Maria for his documentary The Oldest Person in the World, tells us why he thinks people find the subject so captivating.
This week's Catalan phrase is "és de l'any de la picor." Literally "it's from the year of the itch," it refers to a pl...2023-03-1124 minFilling the SinkGender-based violence – a survivor’s story in a changing societyFilling the Sink travels to a SIE center that helps women affected by gender-based violence to hear the story of one survivor and the thoughts of center director Susana Conesa.
Tània Verge, Catalan equality and feminism minister, explains what action the government is taking to tackle violence against women.
Lorcan Doherty is joined by Cristina Tomàs White and Guifré Jordan to discuss high-profile sexual assault cases involving footballer Dani Alves and journalist Saül Gordillo and the recent controversy over Spain's 'only yes means yes' consent law.
This week's Catalan phrase is "...2023-03-0424 minFilling the SinkStories of Ukrainian refugees and Russian dissidents in Catalonia – one year onOne year on from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Filling the Sink hears stories from Ukrainian refugees and Russian dissidents who have fled to Catalonia. Fashion designer Ksenia Karpenko talks about the fear of losing people back home and how she has tried to adapt and keep her brand going. Anna Vykhovanets, Tatiana Hulevets and Olena Kol explain why they chose to start working in the Costa Brava hotel where the Red Cross had sent them to stay. Dissidents Anna Shevchenko, Nikita Kazantcev, and Andrei Paniushkin describe their run-ins with the Russian authorities and why they fled to Catalonia.
2023-02-2523 minFilling the SinkCarnival time! – food (and food fights), parades and partiesFilling the Sink travels to two coastal towns famous for their carnival shenanigans – Vilanova i la Geltrú and Sitges. Expect food fights and raucous parades! Carnival is a big deal in Catalonia – a hedonistic week of music, dance, dressing up, copious amounts of food and general revelry before Lent. Lorcan Doherty gets the lowdown from Catalan News' very own Carnival King and Queen, Gerard Escaich Folch and Cristina Tomàs White. This week's Catalan phrase is 'Per carnaval tot s'hi val' – For carnival, anything goes!
2023-02-1822 minFilling the SinkSkiing in the Catalan Pyrenees – guide to slopes and sustainability conundrumIt's ski season! Wrap up warm, grab your goggles and gloves, this week Filling the Sink heads to the slopes with a guide to skiing in the Catalan Pyrenees.
But hold on, with the climate emergency and ongoing drought, does it make sense to be going?
Guifré Jordan travels to Cerdanya to hear both sides of the debate, with La Molina's Marta Viver, and Marcel Sangenís, from the Stop the Winter Olympics group.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'trencar el gel'. It means 'to break the ice', and is used just like in...2023-02-1124 minFilling the SinkMovie director J.A. Bayona – from Barcelona to HollywoodLauded by Steven Spielberg and Guillermo del Toro, Barcelona-born J.A. Bayona is the director of movies like The Impossible, A Monster Calls and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
On the red carpet at the 2023 Gaudí Awards, Bayona chats to Filling the Sink about the ups and downs of his career to date, and his upcoming movie, Society of the Snow.
Cillian Shields talks to two of his former teachers at ESCAC film school – Jaume Macià and Joan Marimón – to find out if the young Bayona was always destined for success.
This week's Catalan...2023-02-0424 minFilling the SinkCANADA – the Catalans making music videos for stars like Rosalía and Dua LipaWhat do Rosalía, Nike, Dua Lipa, Apple, Tame Impala and IKEA have in common? They have all had videos made for them by CANADA – a Barcelona-based production company with a knack for the weird and wonderful. Lope Serrano, Co-Founder and Creative Director, and Alba Barneda, Global Head of Production, chat about their meteoric rise from making videos for their mates to becoming one of the pop world's go-to video producers. They share anecdotes about their creative process and what to do when something goes drastically wrong. Spoiler alert - sometimes, it turns out better! This week's Catalan phrase is...2023-01-2822 minFilling the SinkOrwell, the Civil War and more – homage to writers who made Catalonia homeGeorge Orwell, Pablo Neruda, Gabriel García Márquez. Just some of the 20th Century's greatest writers who for a time called Catalonia home. Tadhg Prendiville from Barcelona Literary Tours takes Cillian Shields on a trip around the city. Cristina Tomàs White joins Lorcan Doherty to discuss the international poets, novelists and journalists who came to Catalonia – some during the Civil War, some fleeing dictatorships in South America, and others, simply for the adventure. This week's Catalan phrase is 'estar escrit'. Literally 'to be written', it means something is decided, set in stone. The following is a list of wr...2023-01-2124 minFilling the SinkCatalan connections – high-speed rail guide, night train rumors, cross-border linksGuifré Jordan joins Lorcan Doherty for this guide to Catalonia's high-speed rail connections.
Cristina Tomàs White takes a trip to Paris from Barcelona with SNCF.
Romain Payet, co-founder of Midnight Trains explains why he is intent on bringing international night trains to Catalonia soon.
Adrià Ramirez, head of the PTP group lobbying for better public transport explains what improvements he would still like to see.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'deixar algú amb la mel a la boca'. Literally 'leave someone with honey in their mouth', it means to deprive some...2023-01-1424 minFilling the SinkNew Year – 2022 in quotes and a look ahead to 2023Bon any nou! Guifré Jordan and Gerard Escaich Folch join Lorcan Doherty to see what 2023 has in store in Catalonia, from politics and the economy to society, culture and sport.
Catalans are set to vote in at least two elections, museums will mark significant anniversaries of Picasso, Miró and Tàpies, and FC Barcelona are to up sticks from the Camp Nou to the Olympic Stadium for a season.
We also look back at the year that was with some choice quotes that sum up 2022.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'qui dia passa, any...2022-12-3124 minFilling the SinkSolidarity at Christmas – Charity drives, fundraisers, food banks and toy appealsChristmas is a time of celebration, of family and friends, of giving and receiving gifts, but it can also be a very lonely and very expensive time of year. Gerard Escaich Folch and Cillian Shields join Lorcan Doherty to look at some of the ways people in Catalonia are giving back this Christmas, including a Red Cross campaign that aims to make sure that no child goes without presents. Ferran Busquets, director of the Arrels Foundation, talks about the importance of the Christmas meals his organization provides for homeless people. This week's Catalan phrase is 'Com més serem, m...2022-12-2421 minFilling the SinkLocal elections lowdown – mayoral battles and how foreigners can voteCatalonia goes to the polls next May 28th but foreigners eligible to vote need to be registered much sooner.
Cristina Tomàs White gives the lowdown on who has the right to vote and how to register.
Cillian Shields chats to Pere Moradell, mayor of Torroella de Fluvià since 1979.
Maxime Van Cleven compares voting rights across Europe and beyond.
Plus a look at some of the intriguing mayoral battles across Catalonia.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'Embolica que fa fort'. Literally something like 'wrap to make strong', it means a...2022-12-1724 minFilling the SinkAbortion – the law and the reality in CataloniaCristina Tomàs White and Guifré Jordan join Lorcan Doherty to discuss abortion in Catalonia – what the law says, how it could change, and what the reality is like on the ground. Activists Silvia Adalvert from the Associació de Drets Sexuals i Reproductius and Selene Alberich from the Assemblea Vaga Feminista de Les Terres de l'Ebre outline improvements in access and care they would like to see, while one woman, Júlia, shares her experience of seeking an abortion in Catalonia. This week's Catalan phrase is 'no caure els anells'. Literally, 'the rings don’t drop', it is used when som...2022-12-1024 minFilling the SinkFatima Ofkir - the young Catalan woman serving a life sentence in OmanIn the summer of 2017, Fatima Ofkir, then 18 years old, made a big mistake. The young Catalan woman was arrested in the Sultanate of Oman accused of drug trafficking. She is currently serving a life sentence in prison but desperately wants to return to her home country.
Cristina Tomàs White and Guifré Jordan join Lorcan Doherty to discuss the case, and we hear from Fatima’s mother Rosario Reyes who shares her anguish and frustration at the lack of developments.
This week's Catalan phrase is 'fer l'orni', which means to turn a blind eye.
2022-12-0321 minFilling the SinkCasa Orsola – a symbol of Barcelona’s gentrification debateCasa Orsola in Barcelona's Eixample neighborhood has become a symbol of the city's struggle with gentrification, as long-term renters find themselves priced out of their homes.
One resident, Basilis, explains his story, while lawyer María José Tarancón outlines the position of the building's new owners, Lioness Inversiones.
Housing rights activists Daniela Lima of the Esquerra de l'Eixample Housing Network and Enric Aragonès of the Sindicat de Llogateres tenants' union give their take.
Presented by Lorcan Doherty with Gerard Escaich Folch and Cristina Tomàs White.
This week's Catalan phras...2022-11-2619 minFilling the SinkSo long, sedition – What will criminal code reform mean for Catalan and Spanish politics?In 2019, nine Catalan pro-independence leaders were found guilty of sedition for their roles in the independence push of 2017. Now, Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez has announced that the crime of sedition will be struck from the penal code – a decision set to have a huge impact on Catalan and Spanish politics. Could those convicted politicians – subsequently pardoned but still barred from holding public office - make a return to frontline politics? And could those in exile – including former president Carles Puigdemont – be extradited, or even return voluntarily? Lorcan Doherty is joined by Gerard Escaich Folch and Cillian Shields, with anal...2022-11-1922 minFilling the SinkNot so wild - Catalonia’s wild boar problemCatalonia has a pig problem. Numbers of Sus scrofa, the Eurasian wild pig, have shot up in recent years and so too has the potential for conflict with humans. Cristina Tomàs White and Guifré Jordan join Lorcan Doherty to discuss the causes, effects, and possible solutions to the spiraling wild boar population. With Anna Sanitjas, head of Forest Ecosystems and Environmental Management at the Catalan government, Jaume Badia, biology PhD researcher at the University of Barcelona, and Ramon Comes, from the Unió de Pagesos farmers union. Plus, we go searching for boar in the Collserola mountains and get the...2022-11-1224 minFilling the SinkFeeling the pinch – lowdown on inflation, bills and shopping tipsAfter a decade of low inflation and low interest rates, price hikes following the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia's war in Ukraine have left many feeling the pinch. Esther Lorente, head of the OCU Consumer Organization in Catalonia, has tips on how to keep your shopping and energy bills down. Cristina Tomàs White and Gerard Escaich Folch join Lorcan Doherty to discuss inflation trends in Catalonia and beyond, and what measures are being taken to bring rising prices under control. Plus, stallholders at Sants Market in Barcelona on how they and their customers are dealing with inflation. This week's C...2022-11-0521 minFilling the SinkFoodie favorites – a guide to (genuine!) Catalan grubLess paella and sangria and more esqueixada and escalivada – Lorcan Doherty is joined by Cillian Shields and Gerard Escaich Folch to chat about traditional Catalan food. Attendees at Barcelona International Community Day tells us their favorite Catalan dishes. Gerard and Maxime Van Cleven visit Sants Market in Barcelona and talk to stallholders about the kinds of food that locals and visitors buy. This week's Catalan phrase is 'pa sucat amb oli'. Literally bread soaked in oil, it is used to describe something of low quality or little value.
2022-10-2924 minFilling the SinkBottoms up! - Barcelona’s cocktail bars in World’s Top 10Flamboyant drinks and clandestine bars, Barcelona’s cocktail scene has stepped up its game, overthrowing London and New York at the World's 50 Best Bars ranking.
Filling the Sink is celebrating its 100th episode with cocktails! Alejandra Angulo Alonso is joined by Catalan News journalists Cillian Shields and Gerard Escaich Folch to talk about the hottest creative bars in Barcelona that made it to the World's 50 Best Bars ranking, celebrated this month for the first time in the Catalan capital instead of London.
Join us as we visit the bars featured in the top ten of the...2022-10-2224 minFilling the SinkGovernment collapse - endgame or new start for independence camp?Almost a decade of collaboration among the main pro-independence parties ended on October 7 when members of Junts per Catalunya voted to exit the coalition. After years of inspiring huge mobilizations, how did the independence movement get here, and what comes next?
Alejandra Angulo Alonso is joined by Catalan News editor Guifré Jordan to talk about the new single-party government in Catalonia formed by the left-wing, pro-independence Esquerra Republicana, governing solo with support from just 33 seats of the total 135 in the Catalan parliament.
We also hear from Doctor of political science at UAB, Ernesto Pascual, on the...2022-10-1524 minFilling the SinkThe unfinished MidCat pipeline – a solution for Europe’s energy crisis?As Europe faces an uncertain winter amid the energy crisis provoked by the war in Ukraine, Catalan, Spanish and German officials are looking at the MidCat project, an unfinished pipeline that would bring gas from Africa to Europe via Catalonia, as a potential solution to ease the continent's dependency on Russian imports. Alejandra Angulo Alonso is joined by Cillian Shields and Gerard Escaich Folch to talk about this ambitious billion-euro pipeline project that faces political and social challenges before it can be completed. We also hear from Joan Puerta, vice president of Catalonia's Engineers Association's energy committee, and Carol...2022-10-0818 minFilling the SinkIndependence referendum 5 years on - what happened, its legacy, movement in limboOctober 1, 2017 was a day like no other in Catalonia. An independence referendum took palace despite Spain's ban and its police cracking down on voters. How did events unfold and how much of a game changer was the vote for the independence movement and for Catalan politics?
Alejandra Angulo Alonso is joined by Guifré Jordan to talk about 2017 Catalonia's referendum on independence from Spain and its impact five years later, including the movement currently finding itself in limbo. Two experts on political science join the discussion: Toni Rodon, assistant professor at Barcelona’s Universitat Pompeu Fabra and fellow at the London Scho...2022-10-0124 minFilling the SinkThe Barcelona patient - the extraordinary case of a functional HIV cureKnown as “the Barcelona patient”, a 75 year-old-woman who has been off antiretrovirals for 15 years made headlines worldwide this summer when her case was presented at the 24th International AIDS Conference in Montreal, Canada. Alejandra Angulo Alonso is joined by Cristina Tomàs White and Gerard Escaich Folch to talk about the extraordinary Barcelona patient as well as HIV research in Catalonia. We also speak with Dr. Josep Mallolas, the head of Hospital Clínic’s HIV-AIDS unit and a member of the research team behind this unique case that could eventually lead to a functional cure for others too. This week...2022-09-2422 minFilling the SinkDrought - current state, impact on society, and sunken towns emergingHeavy rain and occasional drought are a common feature of Mediterranean weather, but the picture is looking quite worrying in 2022, with water levels in reservoirs at 37 percent, according to the Catalan Water Agency, and consistently dropping over the past months.
Alejandra Angulo Alonso is joined by Guifré Jordan and Cillian Shields to discuss the widespread impacts of the drought in Catalonia. We visit Sant Romà de Sau, where an 11th-century church, usually hidden by the Sau reservoir, has emerged from the water, attracting tourists and curious locals. We also speak with Àngel Font, a former resident of the...2022-09-1724 minFilling the SinkBack to school with many changes after educational reformTeachers and students are back in school again with significant changes compared to last year, after a recent wave of strikes, protests, and heated debates within the education sector.
Alejandra Angulo Alonso is joined by Cristina Tomàs White and Gerard Escaich Folch to discuss the new changes and take a look at the future challenges of the Catalan education system. We visit a local school and speak with teachers and parents about what’s new this academic year.
This week's Catalan phrase is ‘Tenir més paciència que un mestre d'escola’, which means ‘To be more pa...2022-09-1023 minFilling the SinkCava and beyond - Catalonia’s beloved sparkling wineThe story of Cava spans generations of winemakers, but today the territory's most exported sparkling wine is facing new challenges.
Alejandra Angulo Alonso is joined by Cristina Tomàs White and Gerard Escaich Folch to discuss the history of cava, the differences between this and other sparkling wines, as well as the impact of climate change and supply chain disruptions during the 2022 harvest season.
Join us as we visit Codorníu, the oldest winery in Catalonia located in the Penedès region, south of Barcelona. We hear from cava experts about their passion for sparkling win...2022-09-0324 minFilling the SinkUniversal Basic Income - Catalonia’s Pilot PlanThe scheme's ultimate goal is to cut poverty. How’s Catalonia going to do it?
Alejandra Angulo Alonso is joined by Cristina Tomàs White to discuss Catalonia’s Universal Basic Income pilot project, an ambitious social experiment that will give people an unconditional monthly payment, starting from January 2023 to December 2024.
We also hear from social scientist, Bru Laín, on the specifics of Catalonia’s scheme, while professor Jurgen De Wispelaere from the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga give us an overview of other countries' experiences developing UBI trials.
This week's Catalan ph...2022-08-2615 minFilling the SinkCulture Shocks - Meal times, intimacy, and other Catalan habitsWhether you’re new to Catalonia or a local about to move abroad, tune in for some advice and funny stories on coping with culture shock. Alejandra Angulo Alonso, Cillian Shields, and Gerard Escaich Folch ask tourists what has been their biggest culture shock so far and a psychology professor from the University of Barcelona explains the difficulties of being in unfamiliar environments. This week's Catalan phrase is ‘Allà on vagis, fes el que vegis fer allí’. A close contender in English would be “When in Rome do as the Romans do.”
2022-08-1921 min