Encuentro Amigos de Partagas 'En Italia' (Cuban Cigar Aficionado Event) June 25-28

                For those of you who read my Blog or are Cigar Aficionados and know of the goings-on in the Cigar Culture in Havana you know that the 'Encuentro Amigos de Partagas' is a biannual event that's organized by the 'Partagas Shop' in Old Havana for Cigar lovers from around the world. It's more than that to the people that have attended this week long event and it's especially so for those who have gone to a few. If you've had the fortune to have been to a few such as I have, it becomes like a fraternity. We might only see each other once a year but we pickup from where we left off. The bond is also with the Partagas Shop and it's amazing staff that have created a venue where these friendships could begin and continue to bring us together twice a year. Men and Women come from all over the world to participate in the event but there's a particular group of men that come from Italy that have made the trek every year for many years. These men are members of the 'Cigar Club Matelica' which was started in 2005.
                 Since the Club's inception, a similar gathering such as the 'Encuentro Amigos de Partagas' has taken place once a year in the Region of Italy where the Club started. It promotes Cuban and Local culture with an abundant consumption of Cuban Cigars with some even being vintage. They have also brought over illuminaries from Cuba to participate such as 'La China' (house roller at the Partagas Store), Jose Castelar 'Cueto' (Guinness World Record holder for longest cigar), Abel Esposito (ex-manager of the Partagas Shop) as well as others from the Partagas Shop. Even though you're in Italy, the feel is very Cuban and that was the idea....except the food is much better. People from all over the world attend this event, some of which also go to the one in Havana. My friend Francesco Minetti, President of the Cigar Club Matelica, who I met at my first Encuentro many years ago, has asked me to Post the details to their next event. Unfortunately I can never make the event myself due to my work schedule but wish I could. It's my pleasure to let everyone know about it's upcoming festivities.

PROGRAM

WEDNESDAY   25/06/2014

H. 10,00 Breakfast
H. 10,30 Board a bus for 'LA LOCANDA (Inn) DEL PRETE' in SARAGANO (PG)
-an old country home in a Medieval village in Umbria where one of the few Cigar Clubs of Italy is located
http://www.lalocandadelpretesaragano.it/en/home.php

H. 12,30 Cocktails

From 13,00 Lunch at the Inn's Restaurant
Until  14,30 Memorabilia Show

H. 15,00 Habanos Seminar given by learned speakers: Stefano Minoia, Jose Castelar 'Cueto' & Leopoldina Gutierrez Espinosa (aka. 'La China')

THURSDAY   26/06/2014

H. am Guest's Welcome
H. am City Visit

H. 13,30 Lunch

From 15,00 Pictorial and photographic Exhibit
Until  19,30 Memorabilia and Objects of Interest Exhibit

At The Same Time

H. 15,00 City Visit

OR     Visit The Consorzio Tutela Verdicchio Wine Cellars & Alternatively Visit the City

H. 21,30 Country or Peasant Party

        Outdoor Grill with Rum, Cigars and Live Music

FRIDAY   27/06/2014

From 10,00 Pictorial and photographic Exhibit

Until  12,30 Memorabilia and Objects of Interest Exhibit

H. 13,30         Lunch

From 14,30   Workshop Presentation of "Classical Music & Cigars" Speakers include: Paul Jucker, Stefano Minoia & Giuseppe Elefante  

Until  16,30      

     

At The Same Time

H. 17,30 Vintage Cuban Cigar Tasting Seminar & Cuban Rum with Giuseppe Elefante, Alejandro Gonzales Pollan & Master Rum Maker.

       At The Same Time

From  15,00 Wine Tasting at Fabriano's Covered Market as well as Trying Products Typical of the Region

Until   20,30

H. 21,30 Welcome Party with Cuban Music & Possibly a Show

SATURDAY    28/06/2014

From 10,00 Pictorial and photographic Exhibit

Until  12,30 Memorabilia and Objects of Interest Exhibit

H. 13,00         Lunch

From 15,00 Pictorial and photographic Exhibit

Until  19,30 Memorabilia and Objects of Interest Exhibit

At The Same Time

From 15,00 Wine Tasting Booth at Piazza Garibaldi with

Until  20,30 Aperitif & Tasting Typical Products of the Region

H. 16,30 Vintage Cuban Cigar Tasting & Seminar along with a Cuban Rum

H. 21,30 Gala-Dinner with Cuban Music & Eventual Internal Lottery

All of the above is priced at 290,00€

This of course does not include accommodations.

For additional information &/or to book function, please contact:
Francesco Minetti
minettif@alice.it
+393483845244

             The people organizing the event have several options for places to stay, some of which are priced quite reasonably. I'm sure they would be more than happy to send that information as well as information on how to make payment. 

             Below I've posted some pictures from previous encounters. I recognize many of the faces from people who have often turned up at the Mother Event in Havana. The festivities mirror the original and I can tell you from my personal experiences that if you're a Cigar Aficionado this is the party to be at. Everyone is in a great mood and having a good time as you can tell from the pictures and there's lots of cigar smoking with nobody telling you that you can't. One day I hope to make it to this event, I'm sure I would have a spectacular time.