Filling the Sink

At a time when immigration is a political flashpoint across much of Europe and beyond, Spain appears to be taking a different approach.

Around half a million undocumented migrants, including up to 150,000 in Catalonia, are set to benefit from the extraordinary regularisation announced by the Spanish government.

But why now? And how will it actually work?

Blanca Garcés, senior researcher at the Barcelona Centre for International Aff...

On January 20, a fatal derailment in Catalonia, just two days after the high-speed rail disaster in Andalusia, led to unprecedented levels of disruption, with the entire Rodalies network suspended several times due to safety concerns. 

But the problems with Catalonia's rail network stretch much further back.

In this episode of Filling the Sink, Lorcan Doherty and Cillian Shields examine Catalonia's Rodalies commuter rail network: d...

In this episode, we explore a problem that refuses to go away: the near-impossible task many immigrants in Spain face when trying to secure appointments for their NIE (foreign identity number) or TIE (foreign identity card).

Cybersecurity expert René Serral from UPC breaks down what is happening behind the scenes of the 'cita previa' appointment system – and what could be done to fix it.

Law professor Natalia Caicedo examines wheth...

FC Barcelona are back home. After several false starts, Barça are once again playing their home fixtures at the iconic Spotify Camp Nou. After two and a half years away, fans are excited – and local businesses relieved – but the revamped stadium remains a work in progress.

The return to the Camp Nou marks the beginning of a new era for FC Barcelona. After a decade of financial woes, could it also prove to be the saving of the club...

Cillian Shields joins Lorcan Doherty to look back at life in Catalonia under the Franco dictatorship, the transition to democracy that followed, and the challenges that remain today, including uncovering mass graves, ongoing legal battles, and a resurgent far right among young people.

Andrew Dowling, Reader in Contemporary Spanish History at Cardiff University, explains how repression was felt in Catalonia during the dictatorship, ...

It's a familiar scene across Catalonia: someone sitting outside a café, enjoying a coffee and smoking a cigarette. But it could soon be consigned to the history books, if Spain pushes ahead with a new bill banning smoking and vaping on terraces.

On this episode of Filling the Sink, Gerard Escaich Folch joins Lorcan Doherty to talk about Spain's proposed smoking law.

Catalonia's Secretary of Public Health, Esteve Fernández, and the ...

'Tourist, go home!', 'Ban Airbnb', and even 'Stop brunch'. Some of the slogans you'll see graffitied around Barcelona, and on t-shirts and placards at the anti-tourism rallies that have made international headlines in recent years.

In our first video podcast, Filling the Sink looks at the latest strategy to make tourism work for the people who live here too: a shift toward so-called quality tourism.

Patricia Diez, professor at EAE ...

Street names offer a window into every town's history, culture, and identity. From the structured Eixample grid in Barcelona to the smallest village in the Pyrenees, street names in Catalonia honor important figures, historical events and places. In this week's podcast, we discover the stories behind some of Catalonia's more interesting street names, find out what locals think and explore who names the streets and why...

Natural wine is a growing movement in Catalonia, rooted in both tradition and innovation. With diverse terroirs and a long winemaking history, regions such as Penedès, Alt Empordà, Conca de Barberà and Terra Alta & Priorat have become hubs for natural winemakers. This week on Filling the Sink we find out what natural wine is, who is making it and why Catalonia is gaining recognition on the global natural wine scen...

Catalonia has become a popular location for contemporary international film and TV productions, thanks to its diverse landscapes, strong production incentives and experienced crews. This week on Filling the Sink we review the history of international filmmaking in Catalonia and discover some of the most iconic movies and series filmed on Catalan soil.

Montserrat Guiu from Barcelona Film Commission and La...

A year after it came into effect, the amnesty law related to Catalonia’s independence push has been upheld by the Spanish Constitutional Court. Whilst the pardon of over 300 activists and officials has eased tensions, the cases of many high-profile leaders are unresolved and its long-term impact remains unclear.

Head of Catalan News Gerard Escaich Folch joins host Beth Cohen to discuss this controversial...

The Sixena murals are late 12th to early 13th-century Romanesque wall paintings from the Monastery of Santa María de Sixena in Aragon. They were moved to Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War for preservation and are currently on display at the National Art Museum of Catalonia in Barcelona. On this week’s podcast, we explore the ongoing debate over their place of exhibition, which highlights deeper regional and cultural tensions i...

Catalonia frequently faces forest fires, which threaten ecosystems, wildlife and communities. This situation has been aggravated in recent years by climate change, drought and human activity, and throughout the summer months fire risk is at its peak. On this week’s podcast we discover how firefighters and forest rangers use drones, AI and new technologies to prevent and control summer forest blazes.

We meet David Borrell, head of t...

Raised in Catalonia to international parents, new generation migrants are a growing demographic in Catalonia, however they often navigate dual identities, balancing their family’s cultural heritage with local traditions. This week on Filling the Sink we dedicate an episode to exploring the challenges faced by this significant collective.

Zenia Hellgren, Doctor of Sociology a Senior Researcher at Pompeu F...

Every summer, Catalonia hosts a wide range of music festivals, from large international events in Barcelona to smaller coastal concerts. On this week’s podcast, we offer a guide to what’s on and discuss Sonar+D, a technology festival at the forefront of musical innovation.

Head of Catalan News Gerard Escaich Folch visits Primavera Sound to pick up some festival vibes, meet fans from around the world and ...

This year, Catalonia and Japan are strengthening their ties with a yearlong celebration, including Catalan Week in Japan, taking place from May 27 to June 1 at the Universal Expo in Osaka. This week on Filling the Sink we explore the relationship between both territories and visit the Expo to find out how Catalonia is promoting its culture.

Head of Catalan News Gerard Escaich Folch joins host Beth Cohen to explore the...

According to the UN, birth rates have been declining globally since 1963, and Spain has the second-lowest fertility rate in the EU. Economic instability, difficulty in accessing housing, an inability to reconcile work and family life, and a lack of support have been pinpointed as deterring factors.

We meet women from different backgrounds to hear their experiences of maternity and the challenges they have overcome. We also explore ...

This week the 69th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Basel, Switzerland. To celebrate, we look back over the history of the competition and explore Catalonia’s involvement, from Catalan language entries to the stories of Catalan artists who’ve graced the Eurovision stage.

We interview Jordi Ramos, a journalist for the Catalan radio station, Rac1. He's an expert on Eurovision and the perfect person ...

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 w...