PODCAST
“It’s sadder to have nothing”
José do Marqués, a humble shepherd from Puxedo (Lobios, Ourense), passed away a few months ago after a lifetime dedicated to the land. It was common to see him walking around the village with his flock of sheep. Like so many people, he believed in his farm animals and in a life deeply connected to the place where he was born. Despite witnessing the emptying of the area in recent years, he kept going out with his sheep almost until the end: “It’s sadder to have nothing”.
“It’s sadder to have nothing”
José do Marqués, a humble shepherd from Puxedo (Lobios, Ourense), passed away a few months ago after a lifetime dedicated to the land. It was common to see him walking around the village with his flock of sheep. Like so many people, he believed in his farm animals and in a life deeply connected to the place where he was born. Despite witnessing the emptying of the area in recent years, he kept going out with his sheep almost until the end: “It’s sadder to have nothing”.
INFOGRAFÍAS
Baleira and the Void
Baleira is a town of barely 1,000 inhabitants in the Galician region of A Fonsagrada. A Fonsagrada is also the largest municipality by territory in Galicia and, yet, one of the most sparsely populated: it only has 7.5 inhabitants per square kilometer, while Vigo, the Galician city with the highest population, has 2,690. Baleira —which means empty— has an even lower population density: 6.9 inhabitants per km². Baleira is a complete metaphor for the phenomenon of depopulation in Galicia. In 50 years, its population has decreased by 50%.
Baleira and the Void
Baleira is a town of barely 1,000 inhabitants in the Galician region of A Fonsagrada. A Fonsagrada is also the largest municipality by territory in Galicia and, yet, one of the most sparsely populated: it only has 7.5 inhabitants per square kilometer, while Vigo, the Galician city with the highest population, has 2,690. Baleira —which means empty— has an even lower population density: 6.9 inhabitants per km². Baleira is a complete metaphor for the phenomenon of depopulation in Galicia. In 50 years, its population has decreased by 50%.
MULTIMEDIA
World Press Fires
The summer 2025 fires in Galicia were historic. They affected so many hectares that they ended up merging with one another, devastating flora, fauna, and entire villages, such as San Vicente de Leira (in the region of Valdeorras, Ourense). This was captured by the camera of our colleague Brais Lorenzo. His work earned the prestigious World Press Photo 2026 award.
World Press Fires
The summer 2025 fires in Galicia were historic. They affected so many hectares that they ended up merging with one another, devastating flora, fauna, and entire villages, such as San Vicente de Leira (in the region of Valdeorras, Ourense). This was captured by the camera of our colleague Brais Lorenzo. His work earned the prestigious World Press Photo 2026 award.
