Filling the Sink

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 contributions to science and his investment in academic...

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 episode, we will visit churrerías, bakeries, food mar...

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 the European Union - where Catalan could become th...

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 Sánchez from pro-hunting organization Artemisan Foundati...

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 appeal and success of 'Crims', Catalonia's favori...

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 Express team tell Emma Monrós how their preparations ar...

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 analysis from Marc Guinjoan, associate professor at t...

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 Cillian Shields. 

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 Kuwaiti national team. This week's Catalan phrase is '...

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 Catalan phrase is 'qui no s'arrisca, no pisca,' similar...

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 people living in shacks and huts built on sand. TV3 jou...

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 c...

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...

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 '...

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 't...

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...

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 phra...

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 Ca...

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 Iv...

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 fest...

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 "o...

Barcelona is Europe's busiest cruise port, with around 800 cruise ships carrying more than 3 million passengers a year. Cillian Shields joins Lorcan Doherty to discuss the cruise industry's economic impact, environmental issues and its role in the debate on tourism. Featuring contributions from Alfredo Serrano of Cruise Lines International Association, Marta Ribera of the Observatory Desk NGO, Mis...

Catalonia goes to the polls on Sunday, May 28, with voters in almost 1,000 municipalities set to choose the new makeup of their city and town councils and ultimately their new mayor. Cristina Tomàs White and Guifré Jordan join Lorcan Doherty to look at some of the most hotly contested council battles, including an unprecedented four-horse race for mayor in Barcelona. This week's Catalan phrase is...

Bruce Springsteen has legions of fans all around the world but 'The Boss' has an undoubted special connection with Barcelona and its people. Filling the Sink captures the atmosphere at the Olympic Stadium before, during and after the gig as Springsteen and the E Street Band kick off their European tour. Music journalist Jordi Bianciotto and concert promoter Gay Mercader recall the American rocker'...

FC Barcelona look set to win their first league title since 2019 but off the pitch the club has been engulfed by a scandal over payments to a former refereeing official. A court investigation into the so-called Negreira affair began in March, but club president Joan Laporta believes Barça is a victim of a smear campaign. Cillian Shields joins Lorcan Doherty to dissect the ins and outs of the case...