Cigar Lovers Meet in Havana

Havana, Nov 25. -Once again, the prestige of Cuban cigars summoned demanding smokers from all over the world to reaffirm the importance of this product, this time via Partagas trademark.

The annual November meeting, sponsored by the Casa del Habano de Partagás, founded in 1845 and located on the bottom floor of the Partagas factory behind the Capitolio in Havana.

Every year foreign smokers meet with local experts, expecially cigar makers and distributors, to benefit from their knowledge in the making and culture of these premium cigars.

This year's event, held Nov. 16-20 with a closing gala at the Hotel Habana Libre, was a success, organizers said.

Some 23,600 Cuban convertible pesos, about $27,000, was raised for the fight against cancer by the Cuban healthcare system through the auctioning of 165 boxes and cases of select cigars.

More than 400 cigar lovers came from nations like Italy, Canada, France, Japan, Nicaragua, Panama, Mexico, Switzerland, the United States, Spain and others took part in the event, visited establishments and installations, and enjoyed several cultural proposals.

Exposito said that since the first conference in 1998, more than $250,000 has been raised and donated to the Cuban public health system. (Prensa Latina)