Filling the Sink

We are 8 million - Catalonia’s older, densely-packed and foreign-born population

Catalonia 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 the week is: "Entre poc i massa," which translates literally to "between a little and too much," and is used when someone exaggerates.
Presented by Lucía Benavides with Lorcan Doherty, Oriol Escudé and Guifré Jordan.

From 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 Escaich Folch and Cillian Shields.

No place like home - Barcelona’s social housing shortage

Barcelona 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 "there's no place like home." Presented by Lucía Benavides with Lea Beliaeva and Lorcan Doherty.

100 years of Joan Oró - the man who wanted to understand the origin of life

This 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.

TikTok sensations - how social media is changing Barcelona

Many 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.

Catalan 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.

Animal welfare law – pets protected, hunting dogs and bullfighting exempted

New 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 means to make something unnecessarily complicated.
Presented by Lorcan Doherty with Cillian Shields.

True crime – when life is stranger than fiction

As 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 and Lea Beliaeva. 

America’s Cup – Barcelona counts down to sailing’s most prestigious regatta

Not 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 mariner' – 'in fair seas everyone is a sailor'.
Presented by Lorcan Doherty. 

Diada 2023 – Pro-indy movement holds balance of power after Spanish election

Filling 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 Folch.    
 

One born every minute? – Catalonia’s record low fertility rate

What 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. 

Cycling in Catalonia – Riding hotspot Girona and La Vuelta kicks off from Barcelona

As 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.