The Biggest Bash of AllHabanos, Famous People and Celebrities
As tradition dictates, some celebrities show up in Havana in the early going of every year. The reason for this is the Habano Festival.
Regardless of how ideal these yearly gatherings are for the necessary update and contact with the realm of habanos for those dealing with its making and marketing, for many people in Cuba this is a special occasion with an addition allure: the possibility of watching in the flesh of the rich and famous who come to this celebration and cult of the world’s best cigars. Many times they decide to travel incognitos and some other times as Habanos, S.A.’s guests. And even though they don’t make headlines in the press, their presence in Havana spreads like a prairie fire. Thus, last year’s festival brought along American actor Peter Coyote and British movie star David Soul. This magazine had the chance of talking with the two of them at the fancy 1830 Restaurant in the nation’s capital. It was during the call for the First Montecristo Golf Cup, an event that happened together with the launch of the new Montecristo Open line, from the name-like habano brand, that was unveiled during the 11th Festival with its four vitolas: Master, Eagle, Junior and Regata. A quick flashback review from the first habano festival held in 1999 to date shows a long list of celebrities who have attended the event, from Hollywood stars Matt Dillon, Seymour Cassel and Joe Pantoliano to former Formula 1 racing champion Niki Lauda from Austria, currently the president and CEO of Lauda Air company. Even Cuban President Fidel Castro showed up at some of the auctions with his Colombian friend, Nobel Prize winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, in tow. One of the most memorable moments was the attendance of late Cuban musician Compay Segundo, whose hats sold under the gavel more than once. And there were some amazing nights, like that one when Spanish traditional dancer Joaquin Cortes made the entire audience shake a leg, making many leave their half-burned cigars behind as they approached the stage for a closer look at an unforgettable flamenco presentation. American moviemaker Steven Spielberg and actors Jack Nicholson or Gerard Depardeu from France are other good cases in point of those boldface names who have come to Havana, all of them lured by habanos, the greatest stars of this annual bash that for many people has now become one of the finest reasons to travel to this island nation.
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