Habanos Festival XIV - Havana, Cuba

Feb 27 - Mar 02 2012 sees the XIV Habanos Festival taking place in in Havana, Cuba. This year Habanos celebrates Cohiba and Romeo y Julieta, as well as the 520th anniversary of tobacco. Find the detailed program below and be sure to follow the festival on TopCubans.com. Sunday 26/02 10.00-16.00 -Registration (Palacio de Convenciones) From Monday, February 27th until March the 2nd, registration will be possible from 9 hrs to 16 hrs Monday 27/02 9:30 -10:30 - Press conference. Handing out of the press dossier on the XIVth Festival (Hall 3, Palacio de Convenciones) 10:30-17:00 - Preliminary International Habanosommelier Contest (Hall 5) 14:00 - Trade Fair opening 14.30 - Preliminary Habanos D.O.P. / D.O.C. Vinho do Porto (Port wines) Alliance (Hall 6) 19:00 - Welcome evening - Concert: “ECLECTIC-US” by Augusto Enríquez and guests. Karl Marx Theater 20:30 - Welcome cocktail: Salón Rojo at Cristino Naranjo Club Tuesday 28/02 07:00 - Visit to plantations in Vuelta Abajo, Pinar del Río 10:00 - Preliminary: Blind tasting of Habanos with the participation of factory tasters, sommeliers and aficionados (Hall 6) Wednesday 29/02 10:.00-10:15 - Opening of the International Seminar (Hall 4) 10:15-11:15 - Master Lecture (Hall 4) 11:.45-13:15 - Master Class on cigar rolling technique "Totalmente a Mano" Making a Cañonazo. (Hall 3) 13:15-14:45 - Lunch at “El Bucán” restaurant 15:.00-16:30 - Flavors and Aromas: combinations of Habanos with cachaza, beer and other products 20:00 - 520 Anniversary Evening: "Bellas Artes Museum, Cuban Art Building" Thursday 01/03 09:.00-12:00 - Visit to Habanos factories 12:30-14:00 - Lunch at El Bucán restaurant 14:00-15:30 - Final: Habanos Blind Tasting Contest (Hall 4) 15:30-17:00 - Final Habanos D.O.P. / D.O.C. Vinho do Porto (Port wines) Alliance 20:00 - Dinner offered by ICT Friday 02/03 9:30-11:00 - International Habanosommelier Final Contest (Hall 3) 11:30-12:30 - Projection of the James Suckling and James Orr Film "Cigars: The Heart and Soul of Cuba" (Hall 1) 12:30- 13.00 - Closing of the Seminar and Trade Fair (Hall 1) Awarding Ceremony: - Best stand of each category - Winner of the International Habanosommelier Contest - Winner of the Video Contest "Habanos in Images" - Winner of Blind Tasting Contest 13:00 - Farewel Lunch at “El Bucán” restaurant 19:00 - Gala Night: Dedicated to Romeo y Julieta PABEXPO (Hall C)