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Habanos is late this year in announcing dates for next February's festival. Usually there is news out in August. Still nothing public yet for next year. Be careful of Cuba travel/tour websites, they usually put out offers early and, as often as not, get the dates wrong, as some have this year. I was just talking with a Habanos distributor and the dates they have are 24-28 February, 2020. I know, in some parts of the world, it's useful to start booking travel arrangements about now.

I spoke with Prez this morning and he agrees that it would be a great idea to have a gathering for any FoH members who will be in Havana for the Habanos Festival next month. The Habanos Festival is from Monday Feb 27 - Friday March 3. The event will be in the restaurant VIPHavana in Vedado from 4pm to 7pm on Wednesday March 1st. A fairly new restaurant, it's a really nice space and great tapas. Not stuffy at all, it'll be relaxing, fun, a few drinks and cigars, absolutely in the spirit of FoH. A time to share stories of our week so far.. http://en.viphavana454.com/index.php/about-us Finishing at 7 pm as some members will be going on to the mid-week Festival event, in which case at least you'll have had some food before the "dinner". For those not going to the mid-week event, we'll be in the middle of Vedado so there'll be plenty to do afterwards. I am hoping to get final numbers before February 14th so I can give the restaurant some idea of how many we'll be. For anyone going to the festival, please PM me if you can come. Hope to see you there, it'll be a laugh! VIPHavana

Just got this in the mail today. I've mentioned this magazine here a few times before but this issue is dedicated to Cuban cigars and tobacco. Interviews with Hector Luis Prieto and quite a few of the people working for him, including Miguel's son. http://www.lahabana.com/content/monthly-guide/ I haven't read through all of it yet but looks like some good stuff. Plus, for the first time this year I see the venues posted for the Habanos Festival events. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27 7:30pm Welcoming Evening dedicated to H. Upmann Sir Winston Gran Reserva Cosecha 2011. Cocktail at Club Habana. So a welcome box of 2 Sir Winston Gran Reserva Cosecha 2011 handed out that night. The opening night was in Club Habana 3 years ago. It's a nice venue for it, lots of space, and outside space. Food could have been a bit more organised, I had to share a fork with Simon Chase and his wife. Eat before you go, same goes for all the events. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1 7:30pm Evening dedicated to the Quai D’Orsay brand . Venue: El Laguito Protocol Hall. Free Quai d'Orsays that night FRIDAY, MARCH 3 7:30pm Gala Evening dedicated to Montecristo and its new Línea 1935. Traditional Humidor Auction. Venue: PABEXPO The full list of festival events is on page 69 but lots of good stuff in this issue. As I've said before, for anyone going to Cuba I'd recommend downloading this as a pdf to their smart phone as an offline guide. It has always been handy for me for restaurant numbers and addresses. Link: http://www.lahabana.com/content/monthly-guide/

No information I'm afraid, just a question. I am hearing a lot of rumours that it is to be Feb 27 - Mar 3, 2017, those dates are on a few blog sites etc. Has anybody heard any actual confirmation of the dates yet? Nothing that I can find on the Habanos site and the festival dates are usually out by this time of year.

We were leaving the main lobby heading for the car when I heard : And the humidor goes to ... Nino !! No kidding - I got lucky ?? Well, after much prodding earlier by Celia, Frank and I had bought a number for the raffle but knew we wouldn't be present for the drawing as we had a Cuban dinner planned. But being around D. made time fly and we were just leaving the event an hour later than planned when the lucky number was selected. Now : Which number was it that got lucky ? My 4 or Frank's 14 ?? Or was it the other way 'round ? Celia wrote Nino on the back of both numbers - and so I got called out. But, as I didn't know if it had been my number, I promised Frank that he would get the humidor - I have enough and he needs some good luck. Now a kiss on the cheek from D. to make him dream is a good start ... and a humidor to boot is not bad either. We took the humidor with us to our Cuban family dinner and enjoyed the rest of the evening with a not so lucky but very tasty pig. For text and Info : http://flyingcigar.de/startseite/lady-luck-and-the-habana-libre-cigar-auction-and-raffle/