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 concept of the Universal Exposition and its impact on the host cities, highlighting the monuments in Barcelona which are relics of the 1888 and 1929 Expos. We look back over the historical relationship between Catalonia and Japan, which dates back to the 16th century with a visit from Japanese Christian travelers Tensho Ken-oh Shisetsu dan to the Montserrat monastery.

Our ACN correspondents in Osaka bring us all the details of the Expo activities, from pa amb tomàquet workshops to wine tasting, virtual reality tourist visits, videos on the history of Barça, a lesson on how to paint like Miró, and interactive architecture exhibits. 

We hear from Michelin-star chefs Carme Ruscadella and Joan Roca, who are ambassadors to the event, and catch up with Yoshiaki Matsumoto, leader of a Catalan rumba group in Japan. We also hear from some Japanese citizens celebrating Catalan culture in Osaka.

This week, our Catalan phrase is “Fer-ne cinc cèntims  - “To make five cents of it,” which means to briefly resume something, keeping it short and sweet.