Consolidating the impact of Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) beyond the days of this trade fair in Barcelona, ​​the most important in the audiovisual sector, which began today, Tuesday, and runs until this Friday, is the objective behind the creation of the ISE Foundation, in which the Barcelona City Council and the Catalan Government participate. It is a similar model to the one established following the Mobile World Congress (MWC), Mobile World Capital Barcelona, ​​in which the Spanish government also participates.

A new record, just like last year. Fira de Barcelona closes the 2025 fiscal year with revenues exceeding €350 million, 17% higher than in 2024. These are "excellent results," according to the mayor and president of the entity's general council, Jaume Collboni. He added that Fira is consolidating its position as a driver of economic activity, boosting innovative sectors with an economic impact of over €6 billion and generating 50,000 jobs in Barcelona and Catalonia. Operating profit (EBITDA), despite the cancellation of biennial trade shows like Alimentaria – which will take place next year – grew by 8% to €60 million.

Last December, philologist, museologist, and cultural manager Lluís-Xavier Flores Abat (Alicante, 1975) took over the reins of Litterarum, the Literary Fair of Móra d'Ebre, and the Ebrenc Book Fair. These events will run from Friday, May 23rd to Sunday, May 25th, with events and awards. We spoke with Flores about the changes he's introduced to the event, which is now in its 18th year and offers many new features as it comes of age.

At its last plenary session, the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce voted in favor of the possibility of selling its shares in Fira 2000, the holding company of Fira de Barcelona. The move was surprising, not so much in substance as in form: the Chamber has reached an agreement with the Generalitat (Catalan government) to sell its 1.2% stake in Fira 2000—for a price of around €5 million, according to ARA—but to retain its voting rights; that is, to maintain the two seats the Chamber holds on Fira 2000's board of directors, currently held by Carmina Ganyet and Xavier Pujol. Of course, 1.2% of the shares isn't decisive; therefore, what does this move imply?

The benchmark event for classic video games returns with an edition with more space, more activities, and special guests to celebrate its 10th anniversary. After bringing together more than 6,000 attendees in the latest edition, the fair hopes to exceed this figure. The area used at the Farga is expanding to 6,000 m², to once again fill it with gaming points, tournaments, exhibitions, conferences, and much more. In fact, the fair is consolidating its position as an unmissable event for fans of the retro world and the Peninsula. The program is tailored to the general public as well as educational centers and families, and its objective is not only entertainment, but also promotes the dissemination of the history of video games and highlights their cultural value.

Change of plans in the transformation of the Montjuïc fairgrounds. Barcelona City Council has decided to transform the current pavilion 2 of the Barcelona Fair in Montjuïc into a new sports centre for the neighbourhood. In this way, it will unblock the problem caused by the demolition of another pavilion in the complex, that of Italy -located next to the Montjuïc fountains- which left at least five sports entities from Poble-sec that carried out their activity there without facilities.

ARA suggests some plans throughout the country for this weekend.