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 head of the Association Against Cancer in Barcelona, Dr Laureano Molins, explain why the law on smoking needs to be changed, and what measures they would like to see included in the final version.  

Joaquim Boadas, the secretary general of both FECASARM (Catalan Federation of Hospitality, Restaurants, and Nightclubs) and Spain Nightlife, outlines the hospitality sector's concerns over one of the most talked-about aspects of the legislation – a smoking ban for cafe, bar and restaurant terraces.

Plus, we hit the streets of Barcelona to find out what smokers and non-smokers alike think of the proposed legislation. 

'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 Business School, and Eulogio Bordas, president of THR Innovative Tourism Consultants, share their insights on quality tourism – is it desirable, achievable, and how to make it work.

Carla Izcara, a researcher at Alba Sud, and José Mansilla, from UAB's Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, offer a critical perspective on the promises and pitfalls of quality tourism.

Oriol Escudé joins host Lorcan Doherty to unpack the idea of quality tourism and what it means for Barcelona and Catalonia.

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 some names are more popular than others.

Journalists Oriol Escudé and Guifré Jordan join host Beth Cohen to look back through the history of urban toponyms and share a glossary of Catalan street vocabulary. 

Miquel Parella, Head of Toponymy at the Catalan Institute of Cartography and Geology, explains how street nomenclature has evolved over time, influenced by politics, Catalan language normalization and events such as the banned 2017 independence referendum.

We also take to the streets of Barcelona to test people's knowledge of street names, hear about their personal favorites and discover what names they would choose if given the chance.

This week we have a double Catalan phrase, "Anar pel bon camí" versus "Anar pel pedregar." They have opposing meanings; the literal translation is "to go on the right path" or "to walk among stones" and the English equivalent would be "To be on the right track" versus "To be on the road to ruin."

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 scene.

Producer Rafa Camps from La Natural describes the challenges of small-scale natural wine production, including climate change and spontaneous fermentation.

Experts Benji Sher and Ida Mogren from the natural wine education centre SucSuc explain the philosophy behind natural wine, rooted in ethics and sustainability.

We visit the natural wine restaurant Amateur in Barcelona to meet owner Marco Bolatti and chef Tomás Esmoris and discover the cuisine and aesthetic which accompany the Catalan natural wine boom and which appeal to younger, less traditional wine drinkers.

Plus reporter Cillian Shields joins host Beth Cohen to review some key natural wine terminology and discuss the up-and-coming natural wine bars in Barcelona.

This week, our Catalan phrase is “Bon vi fa bon cor” - “Good wine makes a good heart”. It’s a classic saying which expresses the belief that wine, enjoyed in moderation, brings joy and warmth to the soul.

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 Laia Boixader from Catalunya Film Commission explain what draws contemporary producers from around the world to shoot here and how the film industry is impacting the local economy.

We visit Parc Audiovisual de Catalunya, an audiovisual production complex in Terrassa which offers sound stages, backlots and diverse locations such as an old hospital, tunnels and a church. Managing director Cristina Brandner takes us on a backstage tour to see the set and props of some of the current productions shooting there.

Plus reporter Lorcan Doherty joins host Beth Cohen to discuss the upcoming Catalunya Media City plan, analyze Catalonia’s tax initiatives for audiovisual production and relive some of the best movie moments filmed locally.

This week, our Catalan phrase is“Llums, càmera, acció” which translates as “Lights, camera, action!” and is the classic cue used on film sets to signal the beginning of a take.

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 piece of legislation, review its implementation and analyze the ongoing debate about its constitutionality.

Professor Josep Lluís Martí from the Faculty of Law at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona explains that, although the Spanish Constitutional Court has upheld the Amnesty Law, there are three key exceptions: the inclusion of those who opposed the Catalan independence process, the application only to acts between November 2011 and November 2023, and the obligation to hear all parties in accounting procedures. Specific cases which involve terrorism and misuse of public funds also remain unresolved.

This week, our Catalan phrase is “El més calent és a l'aigüera” which literally means “The hottest thing is in the sink” and is the equivalent to the English expression “It’s still up in the air”. It’s often used with frustration or impatience to describe a situation that is far from being concluded, despite appearances or expectations that it should be.

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 in Spain. 

Reporter Cillian Shields visits the MNAC to learn more about the history, restoration and conservation of the frescoes. Art historian Albert Velasco explains the controversy over their location, in which Aragon claims rightful ownership and demands their immediate return to the Sixena monastery, whilst experts highlight the importance of a controlled environment for conservation and warn that moving them may cause irreparable damage due to their fragility. 

Host Beth Cohen draws parallels with other relocated artworks and raises questions about the responsibility to protect cultural heritage regardless of political disputes.

This week, our Catalan phrase is “Compartir és viure” - “To share is to live”. A modern and commonly used phrase in Catalonia, it expresses the idea that sharing is an essential part of a meaningful life, fostering a sense of community and human connection.

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 the Bombers de la Generalitat, who explains how the fire brigade uses advanced tools for real-time monitoring and predictive analysis.

Chief inspector Antoni Mur from the Agents Rurals explains the role of Catalonia’s forest rangers in maintaining natural areas in order to reduce fire risks.

Plus reporter Oriol Escudé joins host Beth Cohen to look back over the history of wildfires in Catalonia and discuss what this summer may bring.

This week, our Catalan phrase is “Qui juga amb foc, es crema” - “He who plays with fire, gets burned”. It’s a proverb that warns against taking risks or behaving recklessly.

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 Fabra University, discusses what identity is and how young people with a migrant background may find it hard to achieve a true sense of belonging in any one place.

Reporter Gigi Giulia talks to secondary school teacher Mariona Jorba Solsona about the importance of education in breaking down language barriers and creating an inclusive environment which nurtures hybrid identities.

Plus, we meet two new generation Catalans to hear their stories, and host Beth Cohen analyzes Catalonia’s migration history and how it has shaped the current social reality.

This week, our Catalan phrase is “És tard i vol ploure” - “It’s late and it wants to rain”. It’s an expression that is used when time is running out or something is too late to fix. It can also be used as a way of saying goodbye or telling someone to hurry up.

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 find out what’s so special about Catalonia’s biggest summer music event.

Reporter and festival fiend Cillian Shields sits down with host Beth Cohen to talk through the headline acts at festivals such as Sónar, Cruïlla and Vida, as well as highlighting the best of this summer’s concert program.

Plus we take a deep dive into Sónar+D and meet the festival’s director as well as some of the researchers, musicians and performers who are exhibiting their work. Albert Barqueduran, otherwise known as albert.data, discusses his new project Synapticon and explains how new neurotechnologies could signify an end to mental privacy. 

This week, our Catalan phrase is “Fer ballar el cap” - “To make someone’s head dance”, which means to get on someone’s nerves or annoy them, rather like the English expression “To make someone’s head spin”.