Program for the XVth Habanos Festival announced

From Tuesday February 26th to Saturday March 2nd, 2013, Cuba, once more, will be the venue of the largest international gathering of enthusiasts of the best cigar in the world: the Habano. In this occasion, special tribute will be paid during the event Montecristo and Partagás, two of the most prestigious Habanos brands. The participants, coming from more than 70 different countries, will have the pleasure of enjoying in exclusive the new vitolas to be launched by Habanos s.a. in 2013, and of discovering the roots and secrets of centuries-long tradition. Habanos, S.A. invites you to enjoy a week of pleasure and delight among the friends who have one thing in common: the passion for Habanos. The Habanos Festival program offers its traditional activities during this unforgettable week, such as: Visits to the best tobacco plantations in Vuelta Abajo, Pinar del Rio Visits to emblematic Habanos factories Trade Fair Seminars Tastings and marriages International Habanosommelier Contest Master Class on the cigar rolling technique Habanos Blind Tasting As a novelty, a Cooking Show named ¨Tobacco and Gastronomy¨ will be held live. Prestigious international Chefs will prepare Haute Cuisine exclusive recipes using Cuban tobacco. The Habanos DOP- Rioja DOCa Alliance will be a major moment of this 15th Festival. They are historical Denominations of Origin, but both keep on setting trends and renew themselves constantly. This year, the International Contest "Habanos in Images" will be dedicated to Photography. The opening event will take place exceptionally this year on Tuesday, February 26th 2013. The Welcoming Evening will be dedicated to the Montecristo brand and will be held at the historic Morro Fortress in La Habana. On Thursday, February 28th there will be a dinner organized to pay tribute to the Vegueros, - Cuban tobacco farmers- without whom Habanos would not exist. The closing of the Festival will take place on Saturday, March 2nd , with the Gala Dinner dedicated to Partagás brand, and the Traditional Humidor Auction to the benefit of the Cuban Public Health System. www.Habanos.com