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: decades of underinvestment, the recent Gelida accident and subsequent strikes and shutdowns, and the planned transfer of management from Spanish to Catalan authorities.

Francisco Cárdenas, UGT union representative for Renfe workers in Catalonia, explains how years of neglect and insufficient maintenance have created a network that train drivers no longer feel safe operating.

Rail expert Joan Carles Salmerón, director of private research center Terminus, provides his diagnosis of the structural weaknesses in Catalonia's rail infrastructure, including a disproportionate focus on high-speed lines at the expense of local commuter services.

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 whether the Spanish government is meeting its legal obligations toward newcomers.

Honduran-born activist Carmen Juares describes how migrants are "treated as second-class citizens," calling the process of regularising legal status "a continuous obstacle course."

We also hear directly from Catalan News readers, many of whom got in touch to share their own experiences navigating the system.

With Lorcan Doherty and Oriol Escudé.

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? 

Oriol Escudé and Cillian Shields join Lorcan Doherty to discuss why the overhaul was needed, the controversies surrounding the construction, and the matchday atmosphere at the newly redeveloped stadium.

We’ll hear from culers on the thrill of being back, local business owners on the boost to their trade, and a residents' group on concerns about disruption in the neighbourhood.

Get in touch with the podcast team: [email protected]

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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, and how that evolved over the decades of the regime.

Catalan photographer Pilar Aymerich, who not only lived through the historic transition to democracy of the late 70s but actively documented it, reflects on that pivotal moment in history.

The episode concludes by looking at the challenges that remain today, including ongoing efforts to uncover mass graves, stalled legal cases seeking justice, and the resurgence of the far right among young people.

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.