Habano Festival in Cuba

Cuba Hosts International Habano Festival. Havana, Cuba capital expected at least 1,000 people from 80 countries by PL — last modified Feb 21, 2011 08:38 AM The13th International Habano Festival begins Monday in Havana and is dedicated to the Montecristo, H. Upmann and Partagas brands. Reaffirming the habano as the king of premium cigars, the 13th International Habano Festival begins Monday in this capital and is dedicated this year to the Montecristo, H. Upmann and Partagas brands. Organizers expected at least 1,000 people from 80 countries, confirming interest in Cuban cigars despite the growing spread of anti-smoking campaigns. The event, which runs until February 25, includes debates, meetings and fair at the Havana Conference Center, and the closing ceremony will be at the PABEXPO fairgrounds. For experts, the interest is not only in the quality of the product, but also the culture and traditions surrounding the cigar, accompanied by music, dance, religious elements and idiosyncrasy. As usual, the festival is made up of several events, including an international seminar, visits to tobacco plantations and factories, tastings, talks, exchanges of different kinds, and a trade fair. The most anticipated event is the gala dinner, where artworks related to cigars such as humidors, boxes and paintings will be auctioned. The Best Habano Man of the Year awards will be announced. Among new features this year, several participants expect a blind tasting, in which fans worldwide, sommeliers and other expects will take part along with cigar makers from local industry. The Habanosommelier, a contest where competitors combine cigars, beverages and food, will celebrate its 10th anniversary, and the awarding of the statuette that identifies the Cigar of the Year award will celebrate its 15th. Executives who frequently attend this event say it is one of the most important gatherings on the marketing of handmade premium cigars in the world.