This meeting is attended by nearly 350 participants coming from Italy,
Spain, Brazil, Canada, the United States, Mexico, Switzerland, Panama,
France, and Greece; and attracted by the international reputation of Cuban
cigars.
 
Imanol Elguezabal, from Spain, told ACN that for him taking part in this
meeting every year is a way to recall the moments he shared with famous
producer Alejandro Robaina, in whose plantations in Pinar del Rio province
where he knew about tobacco harvesting.
 
The son of that well-known producer, Carlos Robaina, affirmed that every
year this event gains quality and it is a permanent tribute to my father,
who was a regular participant in these meetings since the beginning in 1998.
 
Robaina noted that a similar event will take place in February, in Italy,
with the attendance of businessmen, suppliers, and guests from all over
the world, and especially from Cuba.
 
The president of Cigar Clubs in that European nation, Francesco Minetti,
pointed out that this will be the biggest event in the continent, where
Cuban representatives from Partagas, artists, chefs, and cultural
promoters will exhibit the exquisiteness of its cigars and of the
Caribbean island as tourist destination.
 
Canadian journalist, Vince Piva, taking part in these meetings for the
fourth time, said that she feels at home in Cuba and its people for its
familiar and peaceful environment.
 
The president of Caracol S.A., Oscar Gonzalez, explained that one of the
factors that contribute with the prestige of these meetings is the
extraordinary effort by the small staff of the forum and its president
Abel Exposito.
 
The program of activities of the event includes visits to Club Havana, the
Equestrian Center at the Lenin Park, and the Alcona Farm.
 
On this occasion, the 21st Meeting of Clients and Friends of the Casa del
Habano Partagas is dedicated to the 492nd anniversary of the foundation of
Havana, the 166th anniversary of the Partagas Cigars Royal Factory, and
the 18th of the Casa del Habano Partagas ––which was inaugurated in 1993.