XIII Habanos Festval

On February 21-25, 2011, 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, the event will pay special tribute to the Montecristo, Partagás and H. Upmann Habanos brands. The participants will have the pleasure of flavoring in exclusive the new vitolas to be launched by Habanos, S.A. in 2011, and of discovering the 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 emblematic Habanos factories - Trade Fair - Seminars - Tastings and marriages - International Habanosommelier Contest - Master Class on the cigar rolling technique - Visits to tobacco plantations The opening event will take place on Monday, February 21. In this occasion the Welcoming Evening includes the exclusive concert at the Gran Teatro de La Habana with the participation of the Maestro Leo Brouwer, recently awarded with a Latin Grammy, and his guests. Also, the nominees for the “Habanos Prize” will be announced, offering finally a welcoming cocktail party dedicated to the Partagás brand. The closing of the Festival will take place on Friday evening, February 25, with the Gala Dinner dedicated to Montecristo and the Traditional Humidor Auction for the benefit of the Cuban Public Health System. Official Program - Monday 21/02 09.00 hrs. Registration (Palacio de Convenciones) 9:30 -10:30 hrs. Press conference. Handing out of the press dossier on the XIIIth Festival. (Hall 3) (Palacio de Convenciones) 10.30-17.00 hrs. Preliminary International Habanosommelier Contest. (Hall 5) 14:00 hrs. Trade Fair opening 14.30 hrs. Preliminary Habanos/Cuban Rums alliance (Hall 6) 19:00 hrs. Welcoming evening at “Gran Teatro de la Habana”. Concert: “Leo Brouwer. Essential” with music composed and conducted by the famous Cuban composer and musician Leo Brouwer, winner of a 2010 Latin Grammy. 20:30 hrs. Welcoming cocktail party dedicated to the Partagás brand at “The Sala Carpentier”. Tuesday 22/02 07.00 hrs. Visit to plantations 10.00 hrs. Preliminary blind tasting of Habanos with the participation of factory tasters, sommeliers and aficionados (Hall 6) Wednesday 23/02 10.00-10.15 hrs. Opening of the International Seminar (Hall 4) 10.15-11.15 hrs. Master Lecture: “Origin and Evolution of Aluminium Tubes for Habanos”. Simon Chase (Hall 4) 11.15-11.45 hrs. Coffee Break 11.45-13.15 hrs. Master class on the technique of rolling a Habano. Making a Belicoso. (Hall 3) 13.15-14.45 hrs. Lunch at “El Bucán” restaurant. 15.00-16.30 hrs. Flavors and Aromas: Marriages of Habanos with coffee, brandy, wines, and other products. ( Halls 3,5,6,7). 19.30 H. Upmann Evening: "El Laguito" Thursday 24/02 09.00-12.00 hrs. Visit to Habanos factories Patagás and H.Upmann. 12.30-14.00 hrs. Lunch at “El Bucán” restaurant 14.00-15:30 hrs. Final Blind tasting of Habanos.(Hall 4) 15:30-17:00 hrs. Final Habanos/Cuban rums alliance (Hall 3) Friday 25/02 9:30-11:00 hrs. Final International Habanosommelier Contest (Hall 3) 11:00-11:30 hrs. Coffee break 11:30-12:30 hrs. Cuban cacao: perfect combination for after-dinner chat. Cuban chocolates and /Habanos marriage. (Hall 4) 12:30- 13.00 hrs. Closing of the Seminar and Trade Fair (Hall 4) Awarding ceremony: - Best stand of each category - Winner of the International Habanosommelier Contest. 13:00 hrs. Lunch at “El Bucán” restaurant 19:00 hrs. Montecristo Gala Evening: PABEXPO. Hall C