Havana - The 19th edition of the Habano Festival is beginning today in this capital with a great expectation that catches the attention of at least 1,000 people from some 50 nations.

The program, to be held at the Conference Center in Havana, includes visits to tobacco plantations, factories and tastings or presentations of new products.

The Festival is dedicated this time to H. Upmann, Montecristo and Quai D'Orsay brands.

H. Upmann, for example, will show his first Gran Reserva Cosecha 2011, while Montecristo includes a new complete line of products to its portfolio.

During this week, the Cuban cigars will be also associated with outstanding musicians from the island, craftsmen who make beautiful works to house cigars, and a contact of the participants with harvesters and cigar rollers, two key trades for this product.

The closing ceremony of the Festival will be held at Pabexpo fairground, where the Habano of the Year Award will be delivered in the sphere of production, commerce and communications.