Filling the Sink

Saint Anthony, Catalonia’s protector of animals, is honored with a feast day on January 17 every year. 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, one in which the ‘traginer’ was an important element of society. The ‘traginer’, or ‘arriero’ in Spanish, was a person who transported goods between markets and towns, usually using mules. We find out how animals participate in the Tres Tombs parades held throughout Catalonia and Jordi Gispert from the Associació Defensa Drets Animal outlines the animal welfare guidelines for these events.  We also learn about the ruc català, Catalonia’s unique breed of donkey. Historically valued for it’s size and strength, numbers have declined drastically since the industrial revolution. We talk to members of the Adopt a Donkey movement and visit a sanctuary run by Gratitud Pallars to find out how the efforts of local people and the donations of animal lovers 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. 

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 of cooperative housing. Catalan News reporter Coralie Moreau explains the origins of cooperative housing, the different models and the process by which inhabitants can enter a cooperative and acquire a flat. We talk to members of the cooperatives La Borda, La Morada and La Voliana to discover the philosophies behind the different collectives. Host Beth Cohen explores the economic aspect and reveals how cooperatives are able to offer more affordable housing by operating as non-profit organizations and carrying out repairs and maintenance internally. Housing policies specialist Ángela Garcia Bernardos, professor of Social Work at the University of Barcelona, outlines the difficulties of integrating cooperative housing projects into current 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.” This is a motto which the members of Catalonia’s cooperative housing projects have taken to heart, as they work together for a better collective future.

Cillian Shields, a Catalan News journalist, dives into the fascinating history of Barcelona's metro as it celebrates its centenary. He chats with Marta Torres, revealing intriguing stories behind station names. Listeners discover the cultural significance of ghost stations and hear about the vibrant musicians who bring life to the underground. The conversation also covers exciting centenary events like exhibitions of historic trains and unique underground races, showcasing the metro's enduring legacy in the city's daily life.

Oriol Escudé, a Catalan News journalist, dives into Spain's cherished Christmas lottery, the Loteria de Nadal. Discover how this age-old tradition, dating back to 1812, was initially created to fund Cádiz's defense against Napoleon. He explains the magical role of the San Ildefonso school choir and the community's emotional connection to 'El Gordo'. As ticket vending intertwines with festive spirit, Escudé highlights the culture of shared luck and the bittersweet realities of taxation for winners. Delight in the Catalan saying for good fortune without effort, adding a festive twist!

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 events which happened in 2024 and discuss the best and the worst of this year’s news. We have seen extreme weather events, starting the year with a critical drought situation which was worsened by heat waves, and whilst the DANA in October brought much needed rain it also had catastrophic consequences 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. Gerard Escaich Folch, head of Catalan News, recalls the uncertainty surrounding his short visit. There have been protests about the housing crisis and Catalonia adopted a rent cap law to protect the right to affordable housing. Anti-tourism protesters also made the headlines as they sprayed water guns at holiday-makers in Barcelona. And on a sad note, we also said goodbye to the oldest living person in the world, Maria Branyas Morera from Olot, who passed away in August at 117 years old. This week’s Catalan phrase is “Anys i panys” - “Years and locks” - which refers to the passage of time.

Cillian Shields, a Catalan News journalist, dives into the history and cultural significance of the Catalan language. Together with Lócan Doherty, they discuss the current resurgence of Catalan and its evolution in the digital age. Lócan shares his humorous journey of learning Catalan as a South African mathematician, emphasizing the connections it fosters within the local culture. The challenges of accessing language classes amid growing interest are also explored, alongside a delightful Catalan phrase that adds a whimsical touch to the conversation.

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. We learn how human activity is affecting the intensity of storms and find out why construction in flood prone areas is still permitted. To learn more about how Catalonia handles extreme weather events, we visit the Protecció Civil control and crisis centers and meet the Deputy Director of Operations, Imma Solé. Host Beth Cohen unveils Catalonia’s long history of flood episodes and analyzes current drought statistics to discover that every cloud has a silver lining. 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. 

In this engaging discussion, Cillian Shields, a Catalan News journalist, sheds light on the rampant housing crisis in Barcelona. He reveals how relentless rent hikes and exploitative contracts are displacing locals. Cillian shares insights from tenants' struggles, while exploring the implications of new rent cap laws and the paradox of reduced rents paired with dwindling housing availability. The episode highlights grassroots protests and the rising tide of activism as residents combat the dual threats of tourism and luxury real estate-induced gentrification.

Join Catalan News journalist Oriol Escudé as he delves into Barcelona's bustling brunch scene, where over 300 spots cater to the trend. He chats with Billy Thorens, owner of a popular brunch chain, uncovering the secret to its success. Meanwhile, Beth Cohen investigates the revival of 'esmorzar de forquilla', a traditional Catalan breakfast. With guest Albert Molins, they debate the cultural clash between brunch and this hearty meal, sharing personal favorites and discussing the future of local cuisine.

Guifré Jordan, a journalist from Catalan News Agency, provides a compelling overview of the events leading to the 2014 Catalan self-determination vote, including early protests and unofficial referendums. Gerard Escaich Folch, journalist and head of Catalan News, highlights influential pro-independence leaders and the varying reactions from the Spanish government. The discussion also features personal stories from voters and contrasts the ambitions for independence with the complexities that have unfolded in the decade since.