Podcast Summary: Hoy por Hoy – El Abierto | SER Podcast

Date: September 19, 2025
Host: Àngels Barceló (with Josep Ramoneda leading the analysis and main interview)
Key Guests: Jaume Collboni (Alcalde de Barcelona), Víctor Lapuente, Estefanía Molina, Nicolás Castellano, Guillermo Lerma, David Junquera

Overview

This episode of El Abierto dives deep into the current events shaping Barcelona’s cultural revival, city policies on tourism and housing, and the city's—and Spain’s—positions on international matters such as the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The show, broadcasting from the historic stage of El Molino in Barcelona, balances local cultural pride with incisive debates about justice, rights, and political responsibility. The conversation includes a lengthy and candid interview with Barcelona's mayor, Jaume Collboni, followed by analytical discussions on Gaza, Spanish justice initiatives regarding war crimes, and political postures both in Spain and globally.

Main Sections & Key Points

1. El Molino and Barcelona’s Cultural Renaissance

(00:26–10:21)

• Setting and Significance:

  • The episode broadcasts from El Molino, a legendary cabaret and symbol of the city’s performing arts scene.
  • Memories and nostalgia from guests about El Molino’s role as a cultural landmark.

• Mayor Jaume Collboni on Reviving Cultural Spaces:

  • Explains current efforts to revitalize El Paralelo’s theatres (e.g., Teatro Arnau, Teatro Capitol).
  • Commitment to preserving Barcelona’s “ADN cultural” amid urban transformation.
  • Quote:
    “Estamos empeñados desde el Ayuntamiento, yo como alcalde, en recuperar la vitalidad... de los teatros, el espacio escénico por excelencia de Barcelona. Hemos recuperado al Molino.” (03:04 – Collboni)

• Cultural Vitality Numbers:

  • Barcelona reached nearly 3 million theatre tickets sold last year—outstripping the city's population ("cada barcelonés al menos dos veces al teatro").
  • The city bucks international trends by increasing, not losing, cultural engagement post-pandemic.

• Museum and Cultural Infrastructure projects:

  • Explanation of major initiatives for the centenary of the 1929 Universal Exhibition,
  • Upcoming expansions: Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC) doubling in size by 2029, and MACBA renovation.

• Art and Politics—Case of Sigena Murals:

  • Collboni expresses trust in experts concerning the legal fight over moving the Sigena murals.
  • Quote:
    “A veces pasa, se convierten en iconos o en armas arrojadizas... habría que tomárselo muy en serio.” (07:41 – Collboni)

2. Barcelona and Global Cultural Leadership

(08:50–10:21)

• Barcelona at the Feria del Libro de Guadalajara & International Bridges:
  • The city will be a guest of honor, strengthening the Latin American connection.
  • Collboni stresses Barcelona's role as a Spanish-language literary capital.
  • Quote:
    “Vamos a desembarcar en Guadalajara para explicar la literatura catalana, barcelonesa, y también para rehacer ese puente...” (09:01 – Collboni)

3. The Gaza Conflict: Barcelona’s Position and Broader Reactions

(10:21–18:47)

• Firm Support for Palestine:

  • Collboni describes Barcelona’s proactive stance: cutting ties with Israeli cities, halting contracts with companies active in the occupied territories, and advocacy for human rights.
  • Notable Measure:
    Creation of a symbolic “District 11” devoted to Palestinian cities, channeling humanitarian, economic, and educational aid.
    • Quote:
      “Vamos a estructurar una ayuda humanitaria... anucié la creación del distrito 11... el de las ciudades palestinas.” (13:30 – Collboni)

• Stance on International Sports (Tour de France):

  • Barcelona officially stands against Israeli participation in global sporting events amidst current circumstances.
  • Quote:
    “No se le debería permitir participar en competiciones internacionales... nuestra posición no ha cambiado ni va a cambiar.” (14:45 – Collboni)

4. Urban Challenges: Tourism, Housing, and Quality of Life

(15:30–21:50)

• Tourism Saturation:

  • Clear answer: “No cabe un turista más en Barcelona” (15:39).
  • Policies underway:
    • Prohibiting tourist apartments as of 2028; 10,000 apartments to revert to residential.
    • Reduction of cruise terminals.
    • Aim for a balanced tourism mix (professional, cultural/gastronomic, family).
  • Quote:
    “A partir de noviembre de 2028 va a haber cero pisos turísticos... eso es una forma de empezar a contener la carga turística.” (16:33 – Collboni)

• Right to Stay—Affordable Housing:

  • The city enforces rent controls, accelerates development of affordable housing.
  • Calls for EU funds to support urban housing needs—“el problema número uno que tenemos las grandes ciudades europeas se llama acceso a la vivienda.”

5. Security and Media Narratives

(21:50–23:55)

• Narrative vs. Reality:
  • Crime rates for minor offenses have been declining for 16 months.
  • Mayor Collboni describes right-wing media’s exaggeration (“fake news”) versus factual security improvements.
  • Quote:
    “...el abuso, la mentira, el fake news... Yo creo que uno de los errores que puede cometer la izquierda cuando está en el gobierno es negar que la seguridad es una política prioritaria...” (21:58 – Collboni)

6. Journalism and Political Analysis: Gaza, Justice and Polarization

(24:33–56:13)

a. Crisis Update from Gaza (Nicolás Castellano, 24:33–28:36)

• Latest on the ground: blackout of telecommunications, humanitarian crisis, ongoing Israeli offensive, protests by families of hostages, international reactions.
• Quote:
  “La única línea de vida para los civiles, Gaza tí, se está derrumbando.” (25:12 – Nicolás Castellano)

b. Spanish Investigation into Gaza War Crimes (Miguel Ángel Campos, 30:45–32:19)

• Spanish judiciary's limited ability to prosecute crimes against humanity, current framework focuses on cooperating with international courts.

• Quote:
  “La reforma en 2014 de Rajoy de la justicia universal prácticamente la abolió...” (30:57 – Miguel Ángel Campos)

c. Analysis: Political Motives and International Law

• Panelists debate whether Spain’s investigations are substantive or a political “cortina de humo.”
• Recognition of Spain’s historical leadership in prosecuting international crimes (Pinochet, Videla).
• Challenges of proving genocidal intent, especially given international diplomatic interests.
• Widespread Spanish public support for recognizing what’s happening in Gaza as genocide (per Elcano/Metroscopia).
• Quote:
  “Es imposible querer negar una cosa de la que tenemos imágenes todos los días... negar que hay un genocidio en este momento es un absurdo.” (34:13 – Josep Ramoneda)

d. Spanish Politics: Gaza, PP, and the Media

• Tension within the PP (Popular Party) between Ayuso's hardline Israel support and Genoa's attempt at moderation.

• Critique of using a humanitarian catastrophe for internal political gain.

• Concerns about growing polarization and loss of empathy in Spanish politics.

• Quote:
  “Es tan grave que para las cuitas políticas locales se utilice un crimen de tal envergadura...” (47:30 – Josep Ramoneda)

7. International: US Media, Freedom of Expression, and Populism

(56:13–63:56)

• Case Study: US Crackdown on Dissent—Trump and Media:
  • Discussion on the recent censorship of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel after criticizing right-wing figure Charlie Kirk, White House pressure, implications for First Amendment rights.
  • Trump threatens to revoke broadcasting licenses for critical TV stations.
  • Analysis of how cancel culture has “flipped”: Republicans now lead the censorship they once decried.
  • Populist leaders' common aim: eliminate intermediaries and convert all media into direct leader-to-public propaganda.
• Quotes:
  • "Cuando tienes una cadena de televisión... quizás habría que retirarles la licencia." (57:28 – Trump via program quote)
  • "Los que se quejaban de la cultura de la cancelación... cuando han llegado al poder, ¿qué es lo que han hecho? Cancelar." (61:32 – Víctor Lapuente)
  • "Lo que quieren eliminar es la intermediación... para que la comunicación sea propaganda todo el tiempo del líder a la masa..." (62:30 – Estefanía Molina)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Barcelona’s role for Latin America:
  “Vamos a decirle a Latinoamérica que estamos aquí, que Barcelona continúa siendo...” (09:38 – Collboni)

• On Palestine:
  “Un genocidio en directo, aunque todavía no se haya tipificado formalmente por ningún tribunal...” (10:46 – Collboni)

• On the challenges of city living:
  “Eso es el derecho a quedarse en tu ciudad y en tu barrio.” (19:14 – Collboni)

• On fake news and security:
  “El abuso, la mentira, el fake news... la izquierda tiene que liderar y explicar constructivamente sobre seguridad…” (21:58 – Collboni)

• On the reality of Gaza:
  "Negar la posibilidad que hay un genocidio en este momento es un absurdo." (34:13 – Josep Ramoneda)

• On US media censorship:
  “Esto es una señal que no podemos dejar pasar...” (48:40 – Josep Ramoneda)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• El Molino & Culture: 00:26–10:21
• Barcelona’s cultural push & international projects: 03:00–09:57
• Barcelona’s role in Latin America: 09:57–10:21
• Gaza/Palestine policy: 10:21–14:45
• Tourism & city life discussion: 15:30–21:50
• Security perceptions: 21:50–23:55
• Gaza crisis, Spanish investigation, justice: 24:33–34:13
• Political polarization & party analysis: 44:10–56:13
• US media freedom: 56:13–63:56

Final Notes

This episode showcases Hoy por Hoy’s strength: connecting local context with pressing international developments, directly linking Barcelona’s challenges and ambitions with bigger debates on justice, empathetic politics, and the defense of truth. Whether discussing how to keep Barcelona livable amid tourism or calling out political cynicism in Spain and abroad, the program is unafraid to blend cultural nostalgia with current affairs and tough criticism.

Memorable close:
“Vamos a aparcar un ratito la actualidad y vamos a divertirnos, que ya nos toca.” (65:04 – Josep Ramoneda)

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