Best catalannews Podcasts (2024)

1
Formula One showdown - will the Spanish Grand Prix remain in Catalonia? 21:45

5d ago21:45

21:45

This year marks the 74th edition of the world’s largest motor racing event, the Formula One World Championship. Since 1991, the Spanish Grand Prix has been held at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit in Montmeló, half an hour north of the Catalan capital. However, this year could be one of the last times the Spanish race is held in Catalonia, as Madrid…

1
Disfrutar - inside the World’s Best Restaurant 21:04

12d ago21:04

21:04

Barcelona’s haute cuisine restaurant ‘Disfrutar’ has been named the World’s Best Restaurant in the 22nd edition of the prestigious ranking “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.” With this accolade, head chefs and creators Mateu Casañas, Oriol Castro, and Eduard Xatruch have added another star to the Catalan culinary constellation, joining the ranks of …

1
European Election breakdown: What to expect in the next five years 23:42

17d ago23:42

23:42

For the past four days, EU citizens have been casting their ballots in the European Parliament elections. In Catalonia and the rest of Spain, Sunday, June 9th was the big day. Gerard Escaich Folch joins Lea Beliaeva Bander the morning after for a Filling the Sink post-election special to break down the results in Europe, Spain, and Catalonia. Milli…

1
Summer festivals guide 2024 - Primavera, Sónar, Cruïlla and much more! 22:23

19d ago22:23

22:23

On May 30th, under sun, thunder, and lightning, Primavera Sound, the biggest festival in Spain descended on Barcelona’s Parc del Fòrum for the 22nd time, kicking off this year’s summer festival season in Catalonia. With a solid mix of Catalan summer hits, rock bangers, catchy pop tunes, and international names such as Lana Del Rey, Pulp, Deftones, …

1
Snail tales - Celebrating the annual Catalan Snail Gathering 20:13

26d ago20:13

20:13

Since 1980, at the end of May, the western Catalan city of Lleida becomes the snail center of Catalonia, where hundreds of people get together to celebrate the annual Catalan Snail Gathering, or l’Aplec del cargol in Catalan. Fans of the tiny molluscs unite for a weekend of gastronomy, but also of competitions, concerts, and the Catalan human tower…

1
Catalonia’s renting realities - when laws fall short 22:39

1M ago22:39

22:39

Finding affordable housing has long been a problem in Catalonia and Spain, and in March, the Spanish government introduced a reference index for rent prices to keep them from rising. But the new rent cap created loopholes and had the opposite effect of increasing prices on short-term leases, while long-term housing became even harder to find. In re…

1
Catalan election - unionist gains, pro-independence losses, and what’s next 17:51

1M ago17:51

17:51

The Catalan snap election is over, and the voters gave the Catalan Socialist Party, PSC, a whopping 28% of the vote, which translates into 42 seats. But falling short of an absolute majority of 68 seats, the results mean that the Socialists now have to find new alliances to form a government. This episode of Filling the Sink was recorded bright and…

1
Beyond the mustache - Exploring the surreal world of Salvador Dalí 24:32

2M ago24:32

24:32

On May 11, we celebrate the 120th anniversary of the birth of the legendary Catalan artist Salvador Dalí, whose influence on the art world continues to captivate audiences worldwide. The surrealist painter was born in the northern Catalan town of Figueres, but spent most of his life in the picturesque coastal towns of Cadaques and Port Lligat, from…

1
Early endings and future beginnings - 2024 Catalan election preview 24:25

2M ago24:25

24:25

The Catalan election season is in full swing – once again. On March 18th, Catalan President Pere Aragonès announced that he was dissolving the Catalan parliament and calling for a snap election on May 12th. The news came after the government failed to secure a majority to pass the 2024 budget. Calling for early elections in Catalonia is nothing new…

1
Books, roses and legends - Celebrating Sant Jordi in Catalonia 27:36

2M ago27:36

27:36

Sant Jordi or Saint George is the patron saint of Catalonia, and April 23 is the day when Catalans celebrate love, roses, romance, and also books. This week's episode is recorded from the bookshop Backstory in the heart of Barcelona. We explain what makes this day special and why people give each other roses and books. We learn about the legend of …

1
Shifting sands - Beneath Catalonia’s coastal changes 20:48

2M ago20:48

20:48

As the weather gets warmer, more and more people will want to go to the beach. But lately, some of the beaches in Catalonia have looked quite different. In some places, the beaches look like they have been swallowed by the sea. The reason for this is the recent storm Nelson, which hit the Catalan coast during this past Easter. Nelson caused an unpr…

1
Off the runway: exploring sustainability and inclusivity at 080 Barcelona Fashion 20:16

3M ago20:16

20:16

Barcelona’s take on fashion week is the bi-annual event 080 Barcelona Fashion, which this season runs from April 9 to April 12. The event has been held at the Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site since 2013, and during the 33rd edition celebrated this week, a mix of 24 emerging designers and established brands presented their idea of what should be in vogue i…

1
Climbing Catalonia: Scaling new heights with indoor and outdoor bouldering 21:39

3M ago21:39

21:39

The number of indoor climbing gyms in Catalonia has multiplied by four in just ten years, making climbing a lifestyle phenomenon and another way of connecting with people. At the same time, the mountainous landscapes of Catalonia have become some of the most visited destinations for outdoor climbing. In this episode, Oriol Escudé Macià joins Lea Be…

1
Behind bars: from model prison to overcrowded agony – the story of La Model 22:39

3M ago22:39

22:39

This year marks the 120th anniversary of the opening of the notorious La Model prison, located in the Eixample district of Barcelona. The facility closed in 2017 and has since become a site for Catalan historic memory, open to the public. Behind its high beige walls lies the history of a prison that sought to be exemplary, but during the Franco dic…

1
Mobile-free zones: How a parent initiative led to the restriction of phones in Catalan schools 22:16

3M ago22:16

22:16

In January 2024, the Catalan government joined other European countries in the fight to regulate the use of mobile phones by young children. A new set of regulations restricting the use of mobile phones in Catalan primary or secondary schools starting from the 2024/2025 academic year saw the light of day. But the idea behind the regulations didn’t …

1
And the Oscar goes to... Catalonia's Hollywood adventure 24:02

4M ago24:02

24:02

Society of the Snow and Robot Dreams miss out on coveted Academy Awards, but plenty of fun is had along the way. In Los Angeles, Natàlia Segura catches up with the nominees – Barcelona filmmaker JA Bayona, director of Society of the Snow, Montse Ribé and David Martí, nominated in the Best Makeup and Hairstyling category for their work on the same f…

1
10 women who changed Catalonia 22:42

4M ago22:42

22:42

March 8 is International Women's Day. To mark the occasion, Filling the Sink pays homage to ten women who changed Catalonia. Writer Caterina Albert (aka Victor Català), educator Francesca Bonnemaison, anarcho-syndicalist Teresa Claramunt, trans activist Silvia Reyes, flamenco dancer Carmen Amaya, operatic soprano Montserrat Caballé, singer and song…

1
Inside Mobile World Congress 2024 – AI, quantum tech, aviation innovation and Catalan startups 25:00

4M ago25:00

25:00

The world's biggest mobile technology fair is taking place in Barcelona once again, but Mobile World Congress goes way beyond phones. MWC 2024 showcases all kinds of emerging technology from tech giants such as Samsung, Google, Huawei and Microsoft, with artificial intelligence the buzzword on everyone's lips. Lorcan Doherty chats AI with Mobileum …

1
Catalan farmers' protests: Why are they demonstrating? 15:06

4M ago15:06

15:06

All across Europe, farmers are protesting, stopping traffic with their tractors to sound the alarm on what many feel is the slow death of the agricultural sector. On February 6, Catalan farmers drove their tractors out of the fields, draped them with slogans such as “La nostra fi, la vostra fam”, or “Our end, your hunger” and marched slowly but det…

1
Catalan Wikipedia – community, knowledge, language and culture 24:34

4M ago24:34

24:34

Viquipèdia, the Catalan version of the free, collaborative online encyclopedia, is a real success story, with almost 750,000 articles and over 1,000 active editors. Wikipedians Xavier Dengra and Àlex Hinojo explain what drives them to volunteer their free time and contribute their knowledge to the project. Lea Beliaeva chats to Núria Ribas, preside…

1
Record year – Barcelona's booming vinyl scene 25:02

5M ago25:02

25:02

Record stores and listening bars are popping up everywhere in Barcelona. Vinyl sales in Catalonia surpassed CD sales in 2023 for the first time since the 1980s. Why has this old, impractical way of listening to music gained popularity in a time when everyone can access whatever music they want on their phones? Lorcan Doherty joins Lea Beliaeva Band…

1
Girona FC – the tiny Catalan football club making it big 24:11

5M ago24:11

24:11

Catalonia's number one football team has always been FC Barcelona, until now! Tiny Girona FC are making it big, battling it out at the top of La Liga in just their fourth season ever in Spain's top division. Cillian Shields joins Lorcan Doherty to chat about the players and manager making the miracles happen. Pepe Sierra, a Girona fanatic and presi…

1
Spotlight on education – Poor PISA results raise questions for Catalan schools 23:06

5M ago23:06

23:06

Filling the Sink turns the spotlight on education after Catalonia finished almost bottom of the class in Spain in the latest PISA international tests, sat by students around the world in reading, maths, and science. The results have raised questions for Catalan schools: what's behind the decline, and what can be done about it? Have changes in educa…

1
Censored, prohibited, vandalized - inside Barcelona’s Museum of Forbidden Art 21:10

5M ago21:10

21:10

The Museum of Forbidden Art is the first of its kind in the world, displaying art pieces that were censored or banned at some point in history and in various different countries. Whether the reason was political, social or religious, these works have now found a new home in Barcelona. In this episode, we’ll hear from the people behind the museum an…

1
How Catalonia’s Roma community keeps the Romani language alive 18:16

6M ago18:16

18:16

Romani is the main language of the Roma community, and one of the biggest minority languages in Europe - estimated to be spoken by millions of people. But because the Roma people have been persecuted for centuries, their language and culture have suffered tremendously. In this episode, we're going to talk about the origins of the Romani language an…

1
A look back at 2023 - elections, drought and celebrity break-ups 22:48

6M ago22:48

22:48

Reporter Lorcan Doherty joins Lucía Benavides to take a look back at this year's top Catalan news. There were local and national elections, a new amnesty law for Catalan pro-independence leaders, the ongoing drought that's left reservoirs at 18 percent full. And there were also big-name celebrity break-ups and cultural heritage celebrations across …

1
The Father of Catalan Modernism - How Lluís Domènech i Montaner started a movement 22:38

6M ago22:38

22:38

Architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner is best known for designing Barcelona’s famous Palau de la Música Catalana and the Sant Pau Hospital, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. But he was also a renowned professor, with big-name students like Antoni Gaudí, and a key figure in Catalan politics. This week marks a hundred years since his death…

1
Antoni Tàpies’ centenary - Avant garde art that makes you think 23:53

7M ago23:53

23:53

This week marks 100 years since the birth of one of Catalonia's most renowned artists of the 20th century: Antoni Tàpies. He's best known for his abstract art and avant-garde works, which experimented with materials such as wood, marble dust, chairs and socks. In this episode, we’ll hear from museum curators on why Tàpies’ work is still relevant to…

1
All you need is water – Catalonia confronts historic drought 20:25

7M ago20:25

20:25

Catalonia is experiencing the worst drought on record, with reservoirs as low as 18 percent and local governments preparing for drastic measures – such as shipping in fresh water. And this is due, in large part, to climate change. For years, the territory has been getting hotter and drier weather, leading to drained reservoirs, wildfires and lost h…

1
Hot plates, haute cuisine - Growing a more sustainable culinary world 24:16

7M ago24:16

24:16

Catalonia has the most Michelin stars in all of Spain - with a whopping 70 in all. The last three stars were added just this week, at a gala held in Barcelona to announce the restaurants that would be included in the 2024 Michelin Guide to Spain. One of them is a Barcelona joint, Disfrutar, that was given its third star – the highest achievement in…

1
Olive you at a lower price - what’s behind the high cost of basic food products? 17:44

7M ago17:44

17:44

These days, going grocery shopping is making more of a dent in our wallets than usual. The cost of many basic food products – including olive oil, milk and eggs – has risen more than thirty percent in just two years. That’s due to several factors; among them, the ongoing inflation across much of Europe. But shoppers aren’t the only ones affected by…

1
Pedro Sánchez reelection – and the amnesty deal that made it possible 20:54

7M ago20:54

20:54

Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez was sworn in as prime minister on Friday, bringing an end to a four-month long saga of inconclusive results from the July elections. The new coalition government with left-wing Sumar was made possible by the support of smaller parties like Catalan pro-independence Esquerra Republicana and Junts, securing Sánchez a tot…

1
We are 8 million - Catalonia’s older, densely-packed and foreign-born population 24:02

8M ago24:02

24:02

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 …

1
From neither here nor there - what’s it like to integrate in Catalonia? 23:27

8M ago23:27

23:27

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 t…

1
No place like home - Barcelona’s social housing shortage 21:19

8M ago21:19

21:19

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 Barcelon…

1
100 years of Joan Oró - the man who wanted to understand the origin of life 25:36

8M ago25:36

25:36

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 contri…

1
TikTok sensations - how social media is changing Barcelona 18:07

9M ago18:07

18:07

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 epi…

1
Catalan in Congress - now an official language, could the EU be next? 23:16

9M ago23:16

23:16

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 …

1
Animal welfare law – pets protected, hunting dogs and bullfighting exempted 24:29

9M ago24:29

24:29

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 Sánche…

1
True crime – when life is stranger than fiction 23:40

9M ago23:40

23:40

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…

1
America’s Cup – Barcelona counts down to sailing’s most prestigious regatta 24:18

10M ago24:18

24:18

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 Expre…

1
Diada 2023 – Pro-indy movement holds balance of power after Spanish election 23:26

10M ago23:26

23:26

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 ana…

1
One born every minute? – Catalonia’s record low fertility rate 20:54

10M ago20:54

20:54

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 Cilli…

1
Cycling in Catalonia – Riding hotspot Girona and La Vuelta kicks off from Barcelona 25:00

10M ago25:00

25:00

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 Kuwa…

1
Young entrepreneurs – from fashion to fruit, microelectronics to meals at work 19:57

10M ago19:57

19:57

Success stories from young Catalan entrepreneurs who started their own businesses from scratch. With Bruno Casanovas of fashion label Nude Project, Carla Gómez of microelectronic soldering company The Ker, Nora Vallcorba of Nora Real Food, and Oriol Aldomà of Talkual, who deliver imperfect fruit and veg to households across Spain. This week's Catal…

1
Somorrostro and the hidden history of Barcelona’s shanty towns 24:22

11M ago24:22

24:22

Barcelona’s image today is one of a modern, European city, but within living memory a very different Barcelona existed, a forgotten city of shanty towns known as barraques. Cristina Tomàs White joins Lorcan Doherty to look at the hidden history of places like Somorrostro. Today, a popular beach in Barceloneta, it was once home to up to 15,000 peopl…

1
The Sugar Boy – The life and times of anarcho-syndicalist Salvador Seguí 23:03

11M ago23:03

23:03

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 socie…

1
Passeig de Gràcia – 200 years of Barcelona’s grandest boulevard 22:05

11M ago22:05

22:05

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 …

1
LGBTQI+ in Catalonia – Pride and the fight for equality 20:49

12M ago20:49

20:49

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…

1
Spanish election preview – polls, permutations and a look back on the last four years 24:55

12M ago24:55

24:55

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 wee…

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