Filling the Sink

Salvador 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 week's Catalan phrase is 'de sucre'. Literally '(made) of sugar', it is used to describe someone delicate or fragile. 

Home 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 'clear the fog', it's used to tell someone to go away.

As 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.

On 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.

Buckle 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 Naessens and Gerard Esciach Folch   

Bona 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.  

Catalonia 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.

The 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 Lorcan Doherty with Cristina Tomàs White, Kate Naessens and Guifré Jordan.   

Festival 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 written about tastes.' 

Guifré 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.