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Actividades Festival Habanos

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The Montecristo and Romeo y Julieta brands will lead the pack of unveilings by Habanos S.A. Corporation in 2015 and attendees will have the privilege of puffing on these products in an exclusive fashion

From February 23 to 27, from all around the globe, lovers of Cuban cigars gather in Havana. The land of the world’s best tobacco hosts the prestigious Habano Festival that this time around is holding its 17th edition. This is a moment to launch products, make exclusive tastings, hold theoretical events, pays visits to plantations, revel in pairings, have technical and commercial exchanges among international businesspeople, producers and providers.
The Montecristo and Romeo y Julieta brands will lead the pack of unveilings by Habanos S.A. Corporation in 2015, as attendees will have the privilege of puffing on these products in an exclusive fashion.
The opening of the Tradeshow at the Havana International Conference Center is slated for Feb. 23, thus marking the event’s official kickoff. On that same day, an emblematic landmark of Old Havana will get spruced up to welcome guests during the Opening Night: the former Tobacco and Wood Warehouse that currently houses the Avenida del Puerto Brewery. This is a one-of-a-kind enclave with a stunning view of the Havana bay whose history harks back to the late 18th century as the city’s commercial backyard. Today, after getting a new lease on life, this place is part of an embracing project to refurbish the Harbor Avenue. Romeo y Julieta’s Gran Reserva Cosecha 2009 will be basking in the limelight. Music, the perfect ally of any smokers’ atmosphere, will go by the hand of songwriter and singer Descemer Bueno and other boldface performers.
During the event’s sessions, the International Seminar will once again witness pairings between habanos and exclusive gastronomic products. The astounding array of tastes to be unraveled by the Alliance with the prestigious Chianti* Italian wines will no doubt be one of the most anticipated moments of this occasion. The rest of the program suggests a number of interesting lectures on habano, master lessons, the 14th edition of the International Habanosommelier Contest and the competition to get the longest burning ash for a second straight year.
The traditional visits to the finest plantations of Vuelta Abajo in Pinar del Rio**, and to the historic habano factories of La Corona and H. Upmann will take place on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively, during this weeklong gathering. On Wednesday 25 February, the El Laguito Protocol Hall will be the venue of choice for the 25th anniversary of the La Casa del Habano. That night, guests will take a bow to this prestigious network of over 140 habano outlets around the globe, known for its vast knowledge and customized assistance to all visitors.
The closing of the 17th Habano Festival will be reserved for the Gala Night. The celebrated and recognized Montecristo brand –a benchmark when it comes to gauging all other habanos- will make a splash with the launch of the 80 Aniversario special vitola in a first-ever puff after the meal. The presentation of the Habanos Awards in its three categories –Production, Communication and Business- and the traditional auction of humidors –the money collected in this event is fully funneled into Cuba’s healthcare system- will top it all off during the closing night.

*(D.O.C.G.) Controlled and Warranted Denomination of Origin
**(D.O.P.) Protected Denominations of Origin

FESTIVAL’S PROGRAM

MONDAY FEB. 23
09:00 - 16:00 hrs 
Registration
10:00 - 11:00 hrs 
Press Conference. Press dossier and other communication materials. Convention Center * (Room 3)
11:00 - 17:00 hrs 
Internacional Habanosommelier Preliminary Contest. ** (Room 5)
14:00 hrs
Trade Fair and Habanos Gallery opening.
19:30 hrs
Welcome Night dedicated to Romeo y Julieta, Gran Reserva Cosecha 2009. Cocktail at the Old Tobacco and Wood Warehouse, Port of Havana.


TUESDAY FEB. 24
07:00 hrs - 17:00 hrs
Visit to tobacco plantations in Vuelta Abajo, Pinar del Río.
09:30-11:30 hrs
Special tastings (invitation required).
Convention Center


WEDNESDAY FEB. 25
09:30 -09:45hrs
Opening of the International Seminar. (Room-4)
09:45 -10:30hrs
Master Lecture: Readers of Tobacco Factories. “150th Anniversary”, by Zoe Nocedo Primo, Director of Tobacco Museum. (Room 4)
10.30 -11:00hrs
Coffee Break
11:00 -12:15hrs
Master Class on Cigar Rolling Technique “Totalmente a mano” (Totally handmade). The making of a Figurado. (Room-1)
12.30 -14:00hrs
Lunch at “El Bucán “ Restaurant.
14.15 -15:45hrs
Master Lecture: Diversification of Habanos Brands, by Cruz Maritza Carrillo, Director of Habanos Brand Diversification. (Room 4)
16.00 -17:00hrs
Habanos Alliance –Chianti DOCG Wines** (Room-1)*
Invitation required*
19:30hrs
La Casa del Habano Night. 25 years of its creation. El Laguito Protocol Hall.
El Laguito Protocol Hall.

THURSDAY FEB. 26
09:00 - 12:00 hrs
Visit to Habanos Factories. La Corona and H. Upmann
CONVENTION CENTER
12.30 - 14:30 hrs
Lunch at “El Bucán” Restaurant*.
14:30 - 15:30 hrs
Master Lecture: Habanos and Arts. Los Besos de Fuego de David Kessell, by Antonio Fernández Seoane. (Room 4)
15:45 -16:45hrs
Master Lecture: The perfect puff.** (Room 1). Contest to get the longest ash
16:45 -17:45hrs
Habanos Moments.** (different halls)

FRIDAY FEB. 27
CONVENTION CENTER
09:30 - 17:00 hrs
Closure of the Internacional Habanosommelier Contest (Room 3)
10:00 hrs Coffee break
11:00-12:00 hrs
Master Lecture: «Habanos Brands». Montecristo in its 80th Anniversary, by Roberto Delgado Pérez. International Market Supervisor. Habanos S.A. (Room 4)
12:00 -13:00hrs
Closing of the Seminar and Trade Fair. Awarding Ceremony:
• Best stand by categories
• Winner of the International Habanosommelier Contest.
13:00 hrs
Farewell Lunch at “El Bucán” Restaurant.
19:30hrs
Gala Night dedicated to Montecristo in its 80th Anniversary. Humidor Auction. PABEXPO. (Hall C)