Filling the Sink

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.

Magí Farré, an expert in cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals, and Luis Comas, co-founder of Canamedics, share insights on the medical uses of cannabis. They discuss its potential to relieve chronic pain, cancer symptoms, and multiple sclerosis. Farré delves into how legal changes could improve patient access, while Comas highlights the challenges of cultivating licensed medicinal cannabis in Catalonia. Together, they reflect on the evolving landscape of cannabis legislation and its therapeutic benefits, shedding light on a groundbreaking industry.

Adrià Terol, a cultural manager of Barcelona cemeteries and an expert on funeral rituals, sheds light on Catalonia's unique traditions surrounding All Saints Day. He discusses the intriguing history of Barcelona's Poblenou and Montjuïc cemeteries, revealing how niche tombs emerged as egalitarian solutions. The conversation highlights the artistry of gravestones, like the iconic Kiss of Death, and explores the Museum of Funeral Carriages, showcasing the evolution of burial practices. Local customs, along with a playful Catalan phrase, add a festive twist to this reflective dialogue.

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. Although breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed type of cancer in women, it has one of the highest survival rates, which have improved year after year. 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, president of the association Ginkgo. 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 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.” Get in touch with the podcast team: fillingthesink@acn.cat

Cillian Shields, an expert on Catalonia's history, dives into the 1971 SEAT strike, a crucial event during the Franco dictatorship. He discusses how the SEAT 600 became a symbol of democratized driving in Spain. The conversation reveals the intense clash between workers fighting for their rights and police, culminating in the tragic death of Antonio Ruiz. Personal accounts from strike organizers shed light on the resilience and bravery of workers who sparked significant changes in labor rights amidst repression. A powerful reminder of how history is made.

Gerard Escaich Folch, a member of the Catalan News team, shares his insights from the Barcelona International Community Day, where he helped newcomers connect with the city. He discusses how expectations of life in Barcelona often clash with reality—from cultural differences and grocery shopping to navigating the chaotic local housing market. The event highlights the rich tapestry of personal stories from the international community, blending humor with the challenges of adapting to Catalan life and the warmth of welcoming connections.

While most people were away on vacation this summer, it was announced that the Catalan Socialists had made a deal with the pro-independence Esquerra Republicana to create a new financing model in Catalonia. If approved, it will be implemented in 2026. The deal would, among other things, give Catalonia more economic independence and create what some call a “fairer” system. Other, more critical voices have characterized it as “poison for the welfare state”. But what exactly does this new proposal entail and how is it different from the current tax system? Lorcan Doherty and Lea Beliaeva Bander explain everything you need to know about the model, from what the changes will mean for Catalonia and Spain to how Spanish and Catalan politicians have reacted. We will also break down concepts such as the “solidarity payment,” and the ranking principle, or “el principi d’ordinalitat”. Núria Bosch and Maite Vilalta, the co-directors of the Fiscal Federalism Observatory at the Barcelona Institute of Economics and professors of economics at the University of Barcelona, explain how the new Catalan model compares to federal taxing systems in other parts of the world. The Catalan phrase of the week is “la clau de la caixa,” which means “the key to the safe”. It not strictly an idiom, but a phrase used often when discussing the new deal. Get in touch with the podcast team: fillingthesink@acn.cat

The Catalan capital on the Mediterranean coast has always been a city that attracts immigration, whether people come in search of a better job, a better life, or just an adventure. Barcelona inhabitants - old and new -  are also known as people who are always ready to fight for their rights. The latest movie, ‘El 47’, tells one of these stories. Set in the late 1970s in the marginalized neighborhood of Torre Baró, on the side of the Collserola mountain range that surrounds the Catalan capital, it centers around Manolo Vital, an immigrant from the southern Spanish region of Extremadura, who came to Barcelona in the 1950s to escape Francoist repression. He and many others bought small plots of land on the outskirts of the city and began building their homes and the neighborhood from the ground up, with little support from local Barcelona authorities. As a result, the residents lacked basic services such as electricity, running water, paved roads, schools, and buses. But one day, Manolo Vital took matters into his own hands. Emma Monrós Rosell joins Lea Beliaeva Bander to talk about the story behind the movie. We also catch up with Marcel Barrena, the director of ‘El 47’, as well as leading actors Eduard Fernández, Zoe Bonafonte, and Carlos Cuevas. We also visit Torre Baró and hear from José Antonio Martínez and José Antonio Romero, who explain some of the current challenges facing the neighborhood. The Catalan phrase of the week is “fer més voltes que un rellotge,” similar to the English “to work around the clock”. Get in touch with the podcast team: fillingthesink@acn.cat.