Halloween v Castanyada – listen to Catalan News' first podcast!
Catalonia's traditional Oct 31 celebrations struggle to survive as Halloween gains ground
Catalan News' first podcast is available now. You can listen to our first episode of 'Filling the Sink' below, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify.
It all kicks off with a bit of a controversial topic: what should be celebrated on October 31 in Catalonia, the traditional holiday of la Castanyada, or the relatively new kid on the block – in this part of the world at least – Halloween?
The debate is on, with podcast host Lorcan Doherty trying to keep some sort of order as two of our journalists fight their respective corners, Alan Ruiz Terol for Castanyada and Cristina Tomàs White for Halloween.
They discuss what exactly Castanyada is (clue: it involves chestnuts), and how it compares to Halloween in terms of food, fun, family and friends.
Of course, this year's festivities will be nothing like normal, given the current Covid-19 situation in Catalonia. But what will the future hold for Castanyada and Halloween? Can the two holidays co-exist or if one of them is doomed to disappear.
In this first episode you will also hear from a traditional castanyera, or chestnut seller, a role that has been be in decline of late, and we'll also explain why the podcast is called 'Filling the Sink.'
So, tune in, enjoy, and Happy Halloween!... Or should that be Happy Castanyada?