àudios

Sant Jordi is a Catalan cultural celebration held on April 23. It's Catalonia's Valentine's Day, and it served as the inspiration for World Book Day. Couples, friends, and families exchange gifts of roses and books, commemorating the legendary slaying of the dragon by Sant Jordi - Saint George, in English. In this week's podcast, we delve into Catalan literature and analyze its translation into English. Cillian meets Peter Bush and Laura McGloughlin, two of the most notable contemporary Catalan-to-English translators, who discuss the art of translation and reflect on some of their most iconic works. We also analyze current trends and highlight emerging voices in Catalan literature. This week, our Catalan phrase is "Un llibre és com un jardí que es porta a la butxaca," a proverb of Arabic origin that translates as "A book is like a garden carried in your pocket." Just like a garden, books are full of life and beautiful details - but small enough to carry with you wherever you go.

Sweet heritage - Chocolate art and the mona de Pasqua

19 min

At Easter time, bakery windows across Catalonia are filled with the most spectacular chocolate sculptures. These 'mones de Pasqua' are traditionally given to children by their godparents on Easter Monday, a festive day known as 'Dilluns de Pasqua' in Catalonia. Originally simple sweet breads topped with hard-boiled eggs, modern versions have evolved into elaborate chocolate creations, often shaped like animals, cartoon characters, or famous landmarks. Reporters Gigi Giulia and Lorcan Doherty visit Natcha patisserie in Barcelona, to meet manager Marta Massagué and discover this year's Easter chocolate trends. Plus, World Chocolate Master Lluc Crusellas gives us a tour of Eukarya, his chocolate workshop based in Vic, and we indulge in a tasting session of some of the best Easter eggs in Catalonia. This week our Catalan phrase is "Pensar en la mona de Pasqua", which means to think about your Easter cake and is used to describe someone who's distracted, absent-minded, or daydreaming.

City roots - Barcelona's urban farming movement

Urban farming is the practice of growing food in cities instead of in rural areas. In this week's podcast we investigate the legislation surrounding urban food production and find out how community gardening projects are benefitting residents in unexpected ways. Reporter Gigi Giulia visits two of the leading urban farms in Barcelona, The Rooftop Garden and L'Hort del Mercat, to understand how these initiatives work. Robert Strauss, an American living in Barcelona, takes us on a tour of his own thriving rooftop garden. And we go to La Rural de Collserola, a cooperative located just outside Barcelona dedicated to sustainable agriculture. Finally, host Beth Cohen examines the environmental impact of urban agriculture and questions the contamination risks involved. This week our Catalan phrase is "Qui té un hort té un tresor," which translates as "He who has a garden has a treasure". It is a positive expression for those who appreciate gardening and all the rewards it can bring.

Small villages, big challenges - A closer look at Catalonia's micropobles

The term "micropobles" refers to small villages in Catalonia with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants. There are more than 480 micropobles in the territory, representing nearly one-third of all Catalan municipalities, yet they are home to only 2.5% of Catalonia's population. Gigi Giulia and Lorcan Doherty join host Beth Cohen to discuss the pros and cons of country living. Joan Solà, president of the Associació de Micropobles de Catalunya, explains the importance of rural communities in preserving Catalan cultural heritage. Plus we explore some of the government initiatives which are being implemented to protect remote villages from depopulation. Whatever challenges Catalonia's micro villages may be facing, they continue to be unique places to reside for those who seek an alternative lifestyle far from the city. This week our Catalan phrase is "Fotre el camp," which is a rude expression commonly used to tell someone to go away or "get lost!" but can be translated as "go to the countryside".

Depression in focus - Causes, consequences and care

21 min

Depression is a leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide, however the stigma surrounding the disease often leads patients to suffer in silence. On this week's podcast we discuss what depression is, what the major causes are and how it can be treated. Lea Beliaeva Bander talks to psychologist Dr. Gemma Parramon Puig, president of the Catalan Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health of the Catalan Medical Sciences Academy and psychiatrist at Barcelona's Vall d'Hebron Hospital. We meet some patients who are suffering with depression to hear their perspectives. Plus founder and director of Therapy in Barcelona Leigh Matthews explains how mental health issues affect the international community and where to find professional support in Catalonia. This week our Catalan phrase is "veure la llum al final del túnel," to see the light at the end of the tunnel. For any of our listeners who are struggling with depression, or supporting someone who is, we encourage you to seek help.

Global voices, local impact - How expats are shaping Barcelona

Barcelona has a growing community of international residents, which for better or for worse is changing the face of the city. On this week's podcast we find out who they are, why they chose Catalonia to start a new life and what impact they are having on the city. We meet professor Brian Rosa from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, who has done specific research on the topic. Toni Coll, from the Poblenou residents' association, explains the difficulties caused by the influx of expats. And Marta Gràcia, CEO of the co-working Cloudworks, outlines the benefits that the international community bring to Barcelona, particularly from a business perspective. This week, our Catalan phrase is "Val més un veí a la porta que un parent a Mallorca," which translates as "A neighbor at the door is worth more than a relative in Mallorca." For expats, having connections locally can be more helpful than having the support of relatives who are far away.

Pandemic perspectives - Five years of covid-19 in Catalonia

On March 14, 2020, Spain declared a state of alarm in the face of the coronavirus health crisis, placing the nation in lockdown and ordering the population to stay at home. Five years later, we look back on the pandemic and analyze the long term effects of covid-19 in Catalonia. We meet Carmen Cabezas, who was public health secretary during the pandemic and who led the vaccination campaign. Current health secretary Esteve Fernández analyses the lessons learned and explains the importance of cooperation in effectively managing epidemics. And reporter Cillian Shields meets some of the patients who are suffering from long covid to find out how the virus has changed their lives. This week, our Catalan phrase is "Val més curar-se en salut," which is equivalent to the English saying "Prevention is better than cure." It emphasizes the importance of taking care of your health and preventing problems before they arise.

Tech tales - Women sparking change at MWC

21 min

One of the UN's 17 goals for sustainable development is to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. To coincide with International Women's Day on March 8, we dedicate an episode of Filling the Sink to female entrepreneurs, particularly those in traditionally male-dominated fields such as technology. Lea Beliaeva Bander visits MWC to meet some of the businesswomen who have created startups in Catalonia. At the 4YFN pavilion, she talks to five female entrepreneurs to gain different perspectives on the challenges faced by women in business. We meet Maja Završnik, CMO and co-founder of the educational platform SheAI and host Beth Cohen analyses the statistics surrounding female startups in Catalonia. Our Catalan phrase of the week is 'buscar una agulla en un paller' - to look for a needle in a haystack. Which we felt like, when looking for female founders at the 2025 MWC in Barcelona.

MareNostrum and quantum computing - bits, qubits and 314 petaflops

26 min

Located at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, MareNostrum 5 is part of a network of European supercomputers and is used to conduct research in fields such as biomedicine, geophysics, atmosphere, energy, society and economy, providing valuable data to the international scientific community. José María Cela Espín, the director of Computer Applications in Science and Engineering at the Barcelona Supercomputer Centre, shows us around the chapel Torre Girona where the MareNostrum supercomputer is installed. We also talk to Jan Nogué, a quantum engineer from Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech responsible building the groundbreaking computer at BSC. This week's Catalan phrase is 'Aquí hi ha gat amagat!' which translates literally as 'There is a cat shut in here!'. It is used to express suspicion that there is more to something than meets the eye¿ Rather like the case of Schrödinger's cat, which can be simultaneously alive and dead, or that of qubits, the unit of measurement used in quantum computing.

The purchase of Casa Orsola - groundbreaking housing initiative or dangerous precedent?

Casa Orsola was built in the early 20th century by Italian businessman Joan Orsola; it is a beautiful modernist apartment building, located in the Eixample district in central Barcelona. However, in recent years it has become a symbol of the housing crisis, as tenants have been priced out by real estate speculation. In an unprecedented move, Barcelona City Council and Hàbitat3 are planning to acquire the building in order to halt the eviction processes and convert the apartments into protected housing. Lea Beliaeva Bander returns to "Filling the sink" to report on this initiative which has sparked widespread criticism. Together with host Beth Cohen, she explores what the joint purchase of Casa Orsola would mean for the residents and how the project would function on a practical level. This week's Catalan phrase is "No hi ha pany que tanqui" meaning "There is no lock that closes". It is used to describe problems that have no easy solution, such as the housing situation in Barcelona.

Gaudís and Goyas - New golden age for Catalan cinema

The Goya awards ceremony held on February 8 was a testimony to the rising success of Catalan cinema, with prizes, applause and a feeling that Catalonia is one of the driving forces of world-class film production. This week on "Filling the sink" we put our finger on the pulse of modern catalan cinema, looking back over its history and analyzing future trends. Catalan news journalist Lorcan Doherty highlights the results of the recent Goya and Gaudí awards, and we interview directors such as Marcel Barrena and Juan Antonio Bayona about their critical acclaim and box office success. Host Beth Cohen analyzes the reasons behind the boom in catalan cinema production and explains the key factors contributing to the growth of the film industry, including the fundamental role played by Catalonia's leading film school, ESCAC. This week's catalan phrase is: "I van ser feliços i van menjar anissos", meaning: "And they all lived happily ever after". It sounds like the perfect ending for a film.

Concentration camp imposter - Enric Marco's life of lies

Barcelona-born Enric Marco was celebrated as a survivor of a Nazi concentration camp, being awarded Catalonia's highest civil distinction, the Creu de Sant Jordi, publicly sharing his experiences and even representing a survivors' association. However in 2005 the historian Benito Bermejo discovered that Marco's life story was a monumental lie. We interview Bermejo about the investigation leading up to Marco's disclosure and learn about the thousands of Catalan Republicans who really were deported during WWII and who perished in German concentration camps. Cillian Shields sits down with host Beth Cohen to explore the circumstances that led Marco to lie about his past. We also talk to psychologist Dr. Drew Curtis, who specializes in deceit and pathological liars, and draw parallels with cases of other famous imposters. This week's Catalan phrase is 'sembla mentida' - it seems like a lie. 'Sembla mentida' that someone would fake being a concentration camp victim¿ but it actually happened.

Dragon Ball - the anime that made Catalan cool

24 min

Dragon Ball - or Bola de Drac Catalan - was created as a manga, a style of comic or graphic novel, by Akira Toriyama in 1984, and was later made into an animated television programme, also known as an anime. It was the first Japanese series of its kind to be dubbed into Catalan and is etched in the memory of generations of Catalans who grew up watching Son Goku on his quest for dragon balls. We meet actor Marc Zanni, voice of the protagonist Son Goku, to discover why the dubbing of Dragon Ball helped to promote the Catalan language. At Norma Comics in Barcelona, Dragon Ball fans explain why the series formed such an important part of their childhood. And experts Oriol Estrada and Daniel Cassany discuss how we can continue to create cultural content that resonates with audiences. This week's Catalan phrase is 'setciències', an archaic insult used by Vegeta in Dragon Ball which means 'seven sciences' and is the equivalent to being a 'clever clogs' or 'know-it-all' in English.

Trump's trading tactics - US tax policies threaten Catalan economy

As Donald Trump returns to the White House, new US trading policies are predicted to bring increased tariffs on imports from Europe. On this week's podcast we'll be exploring the changes in legislation and discussing the future of the US trade relationship with Catalonia. Cristina Serradell, director of international trading at Catalonia's Trade and Investment agency, outlines the threat posed to Catalan companies. Professor Pedro Aznar from the Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting at the ESADE business and law school explains what Donald Trump's mandate could mean for the Catalan economy. And we discover how local businesses are planning to adjust their strategies following Trump's inauguration. This week's Catalan phrase is "Salut i força al canut," a quintessential way of wishing someone health and wealth. The 'canut' is an old-fashioned purse and the phrase can be used as the equivalent of the English "Cheers!" to raise a toast before drinking.

Els Tres Tombs - Saint Anthony and the feast of the animals

24 min

Saint Anthony, Catalonia's protector of animals, is honored with a feast day on January 17. The festival is known as Els Tres Tombs, or 'the three laps' in English, and is celebrated in honor of both animals and the saint. This year marks the bicentenary of the Tres Tombs festival in Barcelona. Andreu Bernadàs, president of the Catalan Tres Tombs federation, explains how the organization aims to keep knowledge of a past world alive. We also learn about the ruc català, Catalonia's unique breed of donkey, talking to members of the Adopt a Donkey movement and visiting a sanctuary run by Gratitud Pallars to find out how the efforts of local people could save this rare animal from extinction. This week's Catalan phrase is "Venir a tomb", meaning that something is appropriate or right in a given situation. The word "tomb" means twist or turn, and can also be used to describe a short walk, such as the three laps of the village typical of the Tres Tombs parades.

Cooperative housing - Working together to combat the housing crisis

24 min

A housing cooperative is a property owned by a business or housing association in which the residents gain equity by buying shares. It's a distinctive form of home ownership which is gaining popularity across Catalonia in the face of the housing crisis. This week on Filling the Sink we take a closer look at the pros and cons. Catalan News reporter Coralie Moreau explains the origins of cooperative housing and we talk to members of the cooperatives La Borda, La Morada and La Voliana to discover the philosophies behind the different collectives. Housing policies specialist Ángela García Bernardos explains the economic model and the integration of cooperatives into urban planning. This week's Catalan phrase is "Si vols estar ben servit, fes-te tu mateix el llit", the equivalent to the English phrase "If you want something done properly, do it yourself." Members of Catalonia's cooperative housing projects have taken this motto to heart as they work together for a better collective future.

Still on track - Barcelona's Metro celebrates its centenary

On December 30, 1924, the first section of Barcelona's city metro was inaugurated, running between Plaça Catalunya and Lesseps. Thousands of Barcelona residents continue to commute daily along this section of what is now line 3, perhaps unaware that they are travelling through tunnels with a hundred years of history. As the metro's centenary approaches, we dedicate an episode of Filling the Sink to exploring its origins and discovering how it continues to stay on track in a modern and ever-changing world. We meet Marta Torres, author of the book Barcelona, Metro a Metro, and chat to some of the musicians who brighten up our city's transport network. Host Beth Cohen discusses the centenary celebrations organized by the TMB, including ghost station visits, an exhibition of old trains and an underground race through the tunnels. This week's Catalan phrase is an easy but very useful one, "Pròxima estació", meaning "Next station". So don't miss your stop and don't miss this week's podcast!

Beating the odds: Spain's Christmas lottery tradition

26 min

Spain's annual Christmas lottery will take place on December 22; it is the biggest and most popular draw of the year and an event of great cultural importance for many Catalan citizens. This week on Filling the Sink we'll be exploring the history of this festive prize draw and discovering how it is celebrated. Catalan News journalist Oriol Escudé explains the origins of the draw as a way to raise money for the defense of Cádiz against Napoleon's troops in 1812. Host Beth Cohen discovers who the students of San Ildefonso school are and why their singing forms part of the lottery draw held in the Teatro Real in Madrid. And we visit some of Barcelona's most iconic ticket outlets to meet lottery vendors and discuss the odds of winning 'El Gordo'. This week's Catalan phrase is "Néixer amb la flor al cul" - literally "to be born with a flower in your bottom", which refers to good fortune acquired without effort.

2024 in Catalonia: A year in news

21 min

As Christmas time approaches and 2024 draws to a close, we'll be dedicating an episode of Filling the Sink to an annual review, summarizing some of this year's most important news and taking a look at what is on the cards for Catalonia in 2025. Host Beth Cohen sits down with Catalan News journalist Lorcan Doherty to look back over the major stories of 2024 and discuss the best and the worst of this year's news. We have seen extreme weather events, including a drought, heat waves and a DANA which raised questions about Catalonia's vulnerability in the face of climate change. On a political level, there have been two elections, an amnesty law, a new president and the surprise return of Carles Puigdemont in August. There have also been protests about rising rent prices and mass tourism, leading to protesters spraying water guns at holiday-makers in Barcelona. This week's Catalan phrase is "Anys i panys" - "Years and locks" - which refers to the passage of time.

A new language, a new life - Learning Catalan goes viral

26 min

Catalan is currently spoken by more than 10 million people in four different countries: Spain, Andorra, France and Italy. This week on "Filling the sink" we reveal what it's like to learn Catalan as a foreign language, find out who is studying it and why and discover the importance of our national language. Catalan News journalist Cillian Shields talks to Catalan teacher, language influencer, and content creator Júlia Riera, about the success of her educational channel, @dailycatalan. Host Beth Cohen discusses the popularity of the free Catalan classes for beginners run by the CPNL. And we meet Gerhard Kirsten, a mathematician from South Africa who has documented his progress learning Catalan on social media. This week's Catalan phrase is "Qui no té feina el gat pentina", the equivalent to the English phrase "Idle hands are the devil's playthings". So if you're looking for something to do this weekend, tune in to "Filling the sink" and learn some Catalan with us!

Valencia floods one month on - Is Catalonia prepared for extreme weather?

On October 29, an isolated upper-level depression affected Spain, causing heavy rain and floods. One month on, we discuss the tragedy, explore whether Catalonia is prepared for this kind of meteorological phenomenon and question why these slow-moving storm systems are becoming increasingly frequent. Catalan News journalist Oriol Escudé talks to scientists and climate change experts David Pino and Davide Faranda, who explain the climatological conditions of the Spanish Mediterranean basin and how human activity is affecting the intensity of storms. To discover how Catalonia handles extreme weather events, we visit the Protecció Civil control and crisis centers and meet the Deputy Director of Operations, Imma Solé. This week's Catalan phrase is "Qui sembra vents, recull tempestats" - in English, "He who sows winds, reaps storms". It can perhaps serve as a warning that, if we continue to mistreat the planet and climate change advances, we can expect more storms like this in future.

Priced out: Tenants threaten rent strike as housing crisis worsens

This Saturday November 23 the Tenant's Union accompanied by dozens of housing activism organizations have organized a protest in Barcelona to demand a significant reduction in rents. We discuss the housing crisis, analyze the reasons behind rising prices and find out how tenants are fighting back. Catalan News journalist Cillian Shields talks to tenants about the difficulties of renting in Barcelona and host Beth Cohen investigates the rent cap law. We interview some of the key figures involved in Saturday's protest to clarify what the protest hopes to achieve, while experts question the viability of a rent strike. This week's Catalan phrase is "Començar la casa per la teulada" - to start the house with the roof. It means to do things in the wrong order and is the equivalent of the English saying "To put the cart before the horse."

Battle of the breakfasts - Brunch versus the esmorzar de forquilla

Everyone loves a good breakfast, and in this week's episode of Filling the Sink we talk about the boom of brunch bars in Barcelona and find out how local cuisine is fighting back. Catalan News journalist Oriol Escudé visits Billy Brunch, one of the most famous brunch chains in the city. Owner Billy Thorens shares the secrets to his success and we chat to some of the customers to find out what's so great about brunch. Host Beth Cohen investigates the 'esmorzar de forquilla' - Catalonia's own traditional morning meal - and finds out how it has been making a comeback and "declaring war on brunch". We have breakfast with Albert Molins, a journalist from La Vanguardia and founder of EsmorzApp, an app which enables users to find restaurants serving the traditional hearty Catalan breakfasts in their area. This week's Catalan phrase is "menjar amb els ulls" - to eat with your eyes - when something looks so good that you just have to eat it.

The 2014 Catalan self-determination vote - 10 years on

November 9 is the tenth anniversary of the 2014 Catalan self-determination vote and to mark the occasion we'll be looking at the independence push over the last few years. Catalan News Agency journalist Guifré Jordan gives us an overview of the events leading up to the 2014 self-determination vote, the unofficial referendums between 2009 and 2011 and the protests which took place in Barcelona. We listen to some of the Catalan citizens who went to the polls and journalist and head of Catalan News Gerard Escaich Folch introduces some of the key pro-independence leaders, such as Artur Mas and David Fernàndez. We also explore the reactions of the Spanish government and host Beth Cohen draws parallels with other national and international situations. This week's Catalan phrase is "Fer mans i mànigues", which means to make that extra effort and do everything possible to achieve your goal. It's an inspirational phrase to round off this week's podcast on Catalan independence.

Medical Marijuana - New highs for the health industry?

Despite its popularity as a recreational drug, cannabis has also been used throughout history to relieve pain and aid relaxation. Beth Cohen and Emma Monròs investigate the uses of this controversial plant in contemporary medicine, discovering its effects, benefits, and contraindications. Emma talks to doctor Magí Farré to find out how cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals are currently administered and how changes in the law could benefit sufferers of certain conditions such as chronic pain and cancer. To find out more about legal cannabis cultivation, we visit Canamedics in Manresa, the first company in Catalonia with an official license to grow medicinal cannabis. Owner and co-founder Luis Comas talks to us about this groundbreaking enterprise. This week's Catalan phrase is "Que bé s'està, quan s'està bé", used to express gratitude and recognize your good fortune when things are going well. It's a perfect feel-good phrase to end this podcast about health and well-being on a high!

Cemeteries and Chestnuts: Tots Sants in Catalonia

As All Saints Day approaches on November 1, many Catalan families will be visiting the graves of their loved ones, taking flowers and paying their respects to the dead. Beth Cohen and Emma Monrós dive into the history of two of Barcelona's most iconic cemeteries, Poblenou and Montjuïc. Emma talks to Adrià Terol, cultural manager of the cemeteries in Barcelona, about the history of funeral rituals in the city. We admire the sculptures in Montjuïc cemetery, such as the famous Petó de la Mort (Kiss of Death), and visit the Museum of Funeral Carriages to see some of the historic vehicles there. Beth finds out how locals celebrate at this time of year and we brainstorm some ideas of spooky things to see and do in and around Barcelona for Halloween. This week's Catalan phrase is "Assemblar-se com un ou a una castanya" - to be as similar as an egg and a chestnut. It's a perfect phrase to use as la Castanyada approaches!

Battling breast cancer - survivors' stories and experts insights

October 19th is the World Health Organization's International Day Against Breast Cancer. In 2022, more than 2 million people worldwide were diagnosed with the illness, while the number of diagnoses here in Catalonia last year was around 5,400. On the 200th episode of Filling the Sink, Oriol Escudé Macià joins Lea Beliaeva Bander to talk about some of the realities and myths surrounding breast cancer and who is at risk of getting it. We hear personal stories from breast cancer survivors Mònica Roldán, Grindel Darwich and Anna Bacardit, as well as from campaigners Alba Martínez and Aurora Fernàndez. We highlight the importance of early detection and discuss both private and public healthcare options and hear from oncologists about their biggest challenges. This week's Catalan phrase is "de mica en mica s'ompla la pica", which literally translates to "little by little the sink fills up," and is the phrase behind the name of the podcast, and means "one step at a time."

Taking the wheel - Inside the 1971 SEAT strike in Barcelona