Filling the Sink

Neus Català - Fighting fascism across borders in WWII

On May 8, 1945, the second world war came to end in Europe. 80 years on, we reflect on how Catalonia was affected by the conflict and highlight the remarkable story of Neus Català, an anti-fascist resistance fighter and holocaust survivor from Tarragona.
Reporters Lea Beliaeva Bander and Cillian Shields join host Beth Cohen to discuss the effects of WWII in Catalonia and discover the story of a Catalan woman who dedicated her life to fighting fascism.
We meet Ricard Ribera Llorens, president of the Fundació Neus Català, who recounts Neus Català’s journey from rural Catalonia to the concentration camps of Ravensbrück and Holleischen, to her later years dedicated to the historical memory of Nazi atrocities. Neus played a vital role in the anti-fascist struggle in the French resistance as a Republican exile, carrying messages, participating in the escape networks, providing food to guerrillas and giving the Nazi soldiers false information. Plus Dr. Alejandro Acosta, contemporary historian at the Universidad Carlos III in Madrid, analyzes the ongoing presence of fascist politics in contemporary society and the conditions which favor its’ expansion.
This week, our Catalan phrase is a quote from Neus Català herself: “L’única mort que em preocupa és la mort de la memòria” - “The only death which worries me is the death of memory.” 

Pope Francis - The Catalan Church, Gaudí and Messi

Pope Francis was known for his humility, compassion and emphasis on social justice. This week we’ll be dedicating an episode of Filling the Sink to the memory of this popular spiritual leader and exploring his relationship with Catalonia.
Catalan News travels to the Vatican to attend the Pope’s funeral and meet some of the 250,000 mourners who have flocked to Rome to pay their last respects, including many Catalan youngsters who attended the Jubilee of Teenagers.
We meet Míriam Díez Bosch, a journalist specializing in religion and founder director of the Blanquerna Observatory on Media, Religion and Culture in Barcelona, who analyzes the Pope’s relationship with Catalonia.
Members of the Catalan church share their stories and discuss the decline in assistance and in religious marriages in recent decades. And reporter Gerard Escaich Folch joins host Beth Cohen to discuss the current religious panorama in Catalonia, including rapid secularization and the diversification of religious beliefs due to immigration.
This week, our Catalan phrase is “Per l'amor de Déu!” - “For the love of God!”, which despite its reference to the divine is used in everyday conversation to express strong emotions.

A day in the dark - Catalonia left powerless after blackout

On April 28, 2025, a massive blackout affected Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and parts of France, leaving over 50 million people without power for up to 12 hours. This week on Filling the Sink, we investigate the causes and find out how it affected people across Catalonia.
Catalan News journalists Gerard Escaich Folch, Lorcan Doherty and Cillian Shields join host Beth Cohen to relive some of the darkest moments of Monday’s blackout. The outage halted trains, disrupted work for many, and cut telecommunications and internet services. We took to the streets of Barcelona to meet some affected people and find out how businesses and city infrastructures coped.
At the time of publishing, the exact cause of the blackout has not yet been confirmed, however, the National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE) and the national police are still investigating. The main hypothesis is an operational failure of the Red Eléctrica power grid caused by instability in the system, possibly related to high reliance on renewable energy sources such as solar and wind as opposed to synchronous sources such as gas, nuclear, or hydroelectric energy. We analyze the government response and political fallout, as well as discuss how citizens should prepare for possible future events on this scale. 
This week, our Catalan phrase is “Estar com un llum” - which translates as “to be like a light” and means to be unstable or even a bit crazy. It originates from the early days of electricity, when light bulbs used to flicker and fade rather than providing a constant glow.

In other words - Catalan literature in translation

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 give each other 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.
Host Beth Cohen sits down with reporter Cillian Shields to discuss the origins of the Sant Jordi celebration and its evolution over time. Cillian meets Peter Bush and Laura McGloughlin, two of the most notable contemporary Catalan-to-English translators, who reflect on what it means to translate a novel and explain their approach to the task. Both review some of their most iconic translations, including the works of Josep Pla, Emili Teixidor, Toni Hill, and Bel Olid, while discussing current trends and emerging voices in Catalan literature. Cillian and Beth wrap up by sharing some of their favorite reads by Catalan authors and exchanging book recommendations for this year’s Sant Jordi.
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 keep with you wherever you go.

Sweet heritage - Chocolate art and the mona de Pasqua

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. The tradition symbolizes the end of Lent and is a joyful family celebration.
To find out more about mones, reporters Gigi Giulia and Lorcan Doherty visit Natcha patisserie in Barcelona. Manager Marta Massagué explains the culinary history of mones and reveals this year’s Easter chocolate trends, including Spiderman, Goku and Barça-themed football mones. Host Beth Cohen explores the history of chocolate and analyzes the recent rise in cocoa prices. Plus, world chocolate master Lluc Crusellas gives us a tour of Eukarya, his workshop and chocolate brand 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 episode of Filling the Sink 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 and meet some of the people involved. Ferran Urgell, from the Municipal Institute for People with Disabilities in Barcelona, explains the benefits that urban gardening can bring to city dwellers and particularly those suffering from intellectual disabilities and mental health issues. And Robert Strauss, an American living in Barcelona, takes us on a tour of his own thriving rooftop garden, which creatively uses all available space. 
Leaving the city behind, we head to ‘La Rural de Collserola,’ a cooperative located just outside Barcelona in the Collserola natural park, dedicated to sustainable agriculture, to discover the differences between rural and urban farming and how these two practices can complement each other. 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, many of whom are already over 65 years old.
Gigi Giulia and Lorcan Doherty join host Beth Cohen to discuss the pros and cons of living in a micro village and analyze the socio-demographic profile of the residents. We meet Joan Solà, president of the Associació de Micropobles de Catalunya, who explains the importance of rural communities in preserving Catalan cultural heritage, language and traditions. Young architect Marta Solà explains her decision to return to her home town in an isolated area of Lleida to begin her professional life after studying in Barcelona. And 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

Depression is a leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. However the stigma surrounding depression often leads patients to suffer in silence, without adequate support from family, friends and healthcare professionals. On this week’s podcast we discuss what depression is, what the major causes are and how it can be treated.
Lea Beliaeva Bander meets some patients who are suffering with depression, to get an insider’s perspective on what it is like to live with the disease. We talk 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 Vall d’Hebron Hospital in Barcelona. She analyzes the biological, social and cultural factors which can influence depression and reveals why women are more likely to get diagnosed with depression than men. Plus founder and director of Therapy in Barcelona Leigh Matthews explains how mental health issues affect the international community and we discuss 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. This week on Filling the Sink we find out who they are, why they chose this part of the world to start a new life and what impact they are having on the city.
Lorcan Doherty sits down with host Beth Cohen to discuss the proliferation of expats in Barcelona. We meet Brian Rosa, researcher and university professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, who has done specific research on the topic and who explores some of the legal aspects. Toni Coll, from the Poblenou residents’ association, explains the difficulties caused by the influx of highly educated international citizens, especially in terms of housing and the gentrification of certain areas of the city. And Marta Gràcia, CEO of the co-working franchise 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” and emphasizes the importance of local communities. 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 entered 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, exploring the ongoing presence of the virus and talking to some of the patients and healthcare professionals involved.
We meet Carmen Cabezas, who was public health secretary during the pandemic and who led the vaccination campaign. Host Beth Cohen discusses the evolution of the virus over the past five years and finds out how Catalonia is preparing to deal with possible future health crises. And current health secretary Esteve Fernández analyses the lessons learned and explains the importance of cooperation in effectively managing epidemics.
For some patients, Covid-19 continues to take its toll. 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

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 the Mobile World Congress at the Fira de Barcelona 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 in technology.
We meet Maja Završnik, CMO and co-founder of the educational platform SheAI, which helps women to learn how to use artificial intelligence in their businesses and to advance their careers. And host Beth Cohen analyses the statistics surrounding female startups in Catalonia and explores the importance of diversity in the business world.
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

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.
Gerard Escaich Folch visits the picturesque chapel Torre Girona, where the MareNostrum supercomputer is installed. There, he meets José María Cela Espín, the director of Computer Applications in Science and Engineering at the Barcelona Supercomputer Centre. His department uses the 314 petaflops of MareNostrum 5’s processing power to develop software to efficiently exploit super-computing capabilities through the simulations and modeling. A flop is the unit to define how powerful a computer is, and is based on the number of calculations per second it can make. A standard computer would take 46 years to perform what MareNostrum 5 can achieve in just one hour.
Host Beth Cohen learns about the future of computing and we talk to Jan Nogué, a quantum engineer from Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech responsible for building the groundbreaking computer at BSC. We also discuss the cybersecurity risks associated with these new technologies and the measures that the BSC is taking to remain one step ahead of the hackers.
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.