Other activities in the venues during 2017, over 50 congresses of associations and cultural organisations, product presentations, academic events and institutional, corporate and business meetings took place at Fira de Barcelona venues. Among others, highlights included the Caixabank General Shareholders’ Meeting and the Pharmaceutical Federation meeting, as well as graduation ceremonies and closing parties, including for eBB School of dance, Montserrat institute, eAe Business School and eSeRP Business School. As for corporate and commercial events, those organised by Huawei, Samsung MadFun, Harley davidson, Seat, Audi, Kao, Adidas, Rakuten, Man, Llongueras, L’Oreal and Cofidis, among other brands and companies, were especially high-profile. As usual, the holding of the Magic Grand Prix, the popular Festa de la SuperMaduixa and, for the first time, the Dulceweekend infl uencers meeting took place. The Government of Catalonia held its traditional “dia de les esquadres” at Montjuïc Palau de Congressos. The same venue hosted a solidarity event by Obra Hospitalària de Sant Joan de déu, and Fira’s co-operation took the form of free use of space, which it also did once again this year for TV3 telethon La Marató (see page 112). in the area of political and social activity, Fira venues welcomed the xi Congress of together thousands of runners in a new the Comissió Obrera nacional de Catalunya demonstration of the great support by union; the homage to the socialist politician Barcelona to these contests. Carme Chacón, who died prematurely in The Catalonia Historic Car Rally April 2017; and various activities related organised by RACC had once again to the ecuadoran general election, with the Avinguda de Maria Cristina as its main presence of President Rafael Correa. stage. in another area altogether, 34 In the field of folklore festivals, we must commercials, films and serieswere shot highlight the Festival of La Mercè and, at trade fair venues, including “Superlópez”, most especially, the Piromusical firework starring the actor dani Rovira; “el año de that closes the programme of activities, the la plaga”, directed by Carlos Martín; and celebrations of Christmas and new Year’s “Matar al padre” by Mar Coll. eve, and Fira’s cooperation with the Cavalcades of the Kings in both Barcelona Sports and popular culture and L’Hospitalet de Llobregat. As every year, the fair venues welcomed Also in the calendar of popular numerous sports and traditional events. celebrations, in early October, Plaça de Outstanding among these were l’Univers was the site of the Oktoberfest La Mercè Race, the Barcelona Zurich Barcelona, a popular celebration modelled Marathon, the Women’s Race and the on the “bierfests” in Munich and other cities 94th edition of the Jean Bouin race, in Germany, featuring German beer, music the oldest in Spain, these activities bringing and traditional cuisine. ACTiViTY AT THe VenUeS — 99