Fira of Barcelona

Fira de Barcelona is one of the main trade fair institutions in Europe and the world, with a significant influence on the local and international economy. Officially founded in 1932, it has its roots in the great universal and international exhibitions of Barcelona in 1888 and 1929, events that put the city on the global map of exhibitions. Managed by the City of Barcelona, the Generalitat de Catalunya, and the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Fira de Barcelona represents an excellent example of public-private cooperation to promote economic and cultural development. The Fira is mainly divided into two venues: Montjuïc and Gran Vía. The Montjuïc complex, located near Plaça d’Espanya, is historical and scenic, with pavilions dating back to the universal exhibitions. This space is emblematic not only for its architecture but also for its ability to host large events such as the Mobile World Congress, which attracts thousands of participants from around the world every year. The Gran Vía venue, designed by Japanese architect Toyo Ito, is an example of modern architecture and functionality, with an exhibition capacity exceeding 200,000 square meters. The history of Fira is marked by events that have deeply influenced the city and the region. During the Spanish Civil War, its pavilions were requisitioned and used for military purposes, but after the war, Fira quickly resumed its original function, contributing to the country’s economic reconstruction. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Fira de Barcelona became a reference point for international exhibitions in Spain, also thanks to its role as a monopolist of international fairs, shared only with Valencia until 1979. Today, Fira de Barcelona hosts over 150 annual trade fairs and congresses, covering a wide range of economic sectors, from food to technology, from fashion to logistics. Events like Alimentaria, the Manga Fair, and the International Furniture Fair attract millions of visitors and thousands of exhibitors, generating an estimated economic impact of over 4.7 billion euros annually and creating more than 35,000 jobs. An interesting anecdote concerns the evolution of the Mobile World Congress, one of the most prestigious events hosted by Fira. Initially hosted in Cannes, the event moved to Barcelona in 2006 and, thanks to the facilities and support of Fira, it grew exponentially, becoming the world’s leading event in the mobile telecommunications sector. This has helped strengthen Barcelona’s image as the global capital of mobile technologies.