Havana, October 18 (RHC-Granma)-- The celebrated Cuban cigar brands Cohiba and Partagás will be on the spotlight during the upcoming 20th Habano Festival, set for February 26 through March 2, 2018, in Havana.

Daymi Difurniao, from the marketing office at Habanos S.A company, the Festival's sponsor, told Granma International that Cohiba, the country's flagship elite brand, will present its first Reserva, Cosecha 2014; while Partagás, with its Maduro line - well-received when it was launched in 2015 - will present two new vitolas.

He explained that the 20th Festival will again feature many of the activities that have won the annual gathering notoriety. These include visits to outstanding tobacco plantations in the Vuelta Abajo region, in the westernmost province of Pinar del Río, tours of the capital's most famous cigar factories, a commercial fair, a cigar rolling master class, a formal welcoming night and the final gala dinner.

Other activities include also an international seminar with lectures and practical sessions; the international sommelier competition, in which experienced specialists propose unique pairings of cigars with different spirits and dishes; as well as the first Habanos World Challenge, during which competitors will test their general knowledge about one of the products most closely linked to Cuba internationally.

The 20th Habano Festival will conclude the evening of March 2 with a gala dinner, featuring the traditional auction of humidors created by distinguished Cuban artisans. As always, proceeds will go to the Cuban public health system.