Charity auction during the Habanos Festival

[Ryan]

Some of you probably know that I am working with coffee farms in Pinar del Río. My wife came to Cuba with me last June and started art projects in the schools. Some artist friends in Havana came with us and were impressed with what they saw.

These guys then visited us in Dublin with the idea of having an art auction in Havana during the festival to raise money for the community.

I got quotes and a supplier in Pinar del Rio to install solar panels, storage batteries, fridges and freezers into the local schools for light and safer food.

I told the artists that, as it will be the Habanos Festival, to put forward cigar-related, or at least Cuba-related art, to get punters in. I have also donated a couple of boxes of vintage cigars for it.

We gave the thing a name, "La Ceiba Cubana Project"

I just got the catalogue from Cuba today and the invite with the address. The catalogue is attached to this post.

I am not asking for any money from anybody. Just if anyone on the forum is going to the festival they might want to come along or if they know anyone going, to let them know.

There will be a welcome cocktail and a cañonazo specially made for the event for the first 50 people.

I talk to people in Cuba every day. There are uncertainties, I'm well aware, but life goes on. 

Time and Date: Tuesday 24^th February, 5pm-7pm

Venue: Coco Blue y La Zorra Pelua, Calle 14 #112 entre 11 y 13, Vedado

La_Ceiba_Auction_Catalog_Feb_2026.pdf

[Ryan]

I thought I’d put up images of the catalogue here. The pdf is a big download.

Amalia Abreu is the only one of these artists I haven’t met yet. She’s from Pinar del Río. I really like her stuff, especially rebuilding the tobacco barn.

[JPark3]

I love how "JEFF" is at the top of a page in all caps 😂😂

I hope everything goes goes well!!

[Ryan]

Just now, JPark3 said:

I love how "JEFF" is at the top of a page in all caps 😂😂

I hope everything goes goes well!!

JEFF. Jose Emilio Fuentes Fonseca. I’ve posted about him here before. In November 21, when I first met him. He’s a good guy. He gave great speeches to the school kids last summer about how art can be a career etc. 

[JPark3]

2 hours ago, Ryan said:

JEFF. Jose Emilio Fuentes Fonseca. I’ve posted about him here before. In November 21, when I first met him. He’s a good guy. He gave great speeches to the school kids last summer about how art can be a career etc. 

Oh I wasn't poking fun at him or anything like that. When I clicked the thread, the page immediately went down and "JEFF" was the first thing I saw and it caught me by surprise.

[El Presidente]

Looks to be a great cause and a fun event! If you are in Havana for the festival, get along 

[westg]

Some great pieces there. I hope they make a lot of money Andy. Congrats 🫶

[zacca]

Very cool @Ryan.You can tell you’ve put a tremendous amount of work into this. Best wishes for a successful event. 

[Ryan]

I hear Habanos will make a statement tomorrow regarding whether the festival will be postponed or not.

 

 

[NYGuido]

9 hours ago, Ryan said:

I hear Habanos will make a statement tomorrow regarding whether the festival will be postponed or not.

Do you know how we ordinary smokers can help the Cuban people? Is there a place to donate? Can I just send cash or things to people you know who need them? My heart breaks for the people. It really does. 

[Ryan]

28 minutes ago, NYGuido said:

Do you know how we ordinary smokers can help the Cuban people? Is there a place to donate? Can I just send cash or things to people you know who need them? My heart breaks for the people. It really does. 

There are ways but it's not easy. The easiest way is to find someone going and give them lots of paracetamol (acetaminophen/Tylenol) and children's multi-Vitamins to bring.

I haven't used this myself but I hear https://www.supermarket23.es/en/ is a very reliable way to get food and supplies to specific people in Cuba.

By the way, it's very kind of you of course to offer to help. But I cannot take cash for you, charity cash can be complicated in Cuba. It is tough what people are going through and will have to go through. I am already hearing from taxi-drivers who cannot get dialysis patients to hospital for their regular treatment. So people will die due to lack of fuel before food or water run out. But the others will find a way. I hope there is a solution soon that is good for all Cubans, whatever that is.

[NYGuido]

Thank you so much, @Ryan, and I am going to try and see if that link works. I would ask those with connections to Cuba--like yourself, @El Presidente or @LizardGizmo--whether there are specific people we can direct some assistance to.

[El Presidente]

4 minutes ago, NYGuido said:

Thank you so much, @Ryan, and I am going to try and see if that link works. I would ask those with connections to Cuba--like yourself, @El Presidente or @LizardGizmo--whether there are specific people we can direct some assistance to.

You are a good man Chris 

The challenge is that the people I know in Cuba are not the most desperate largely because they know people like me and circle the circles I circle in. 

JohnnyO is far better informed than I am and I hope he can provide some direction to you and other members with the same mindset. 

[NYGuido]

Just now, El Presidente said:

You are a good man Chris 

The challenge is that the people I know in Cuba are not the most desperate largely because they know people like me and circle the circles I circle in. 

JohnnyO is far better informed than I am and I hope he can provide some direction to you and other members with the same mindset. 

Thank you so much, Rob -- truly too kind. I have not much to give, but I give freely that which I do have. More than a crisis related to cigars or geopolitics, it is a crisis of humanity. And I refuse to stand on the sidelines if I can help in any way.

[JohnnyO]

1 hour ago, El Presidente said:

You are a good man Chris 

The challenge is that the people I know in Cuba are not the most desperate largely because they know people like me and circle the circles I circle in. 

JohnnyO is far better informed than I am and I hope he can provide some direction to you and other members with the same mindset. 

If you have a specific person you want to send anything to I can help. I take down stuff for my wife's parents but always have space. If you want to send something in general for a local that is struggling there are plenty that would appreciate the help. Send me a message, its easy but I am limited to Havana. John

[Ryan]

Just in...

 

 

XXVI HABANOS FESTIVAL POSTPONED
Havana, 14th of February, 2026 

The Organizing Committee of the Habano Festival announces the postponement of its next edition, with the aim of preserving the highest standards of quality, excellence and experience that characterize this international event.
 
The Habano Festival is an emblematic meeting that brings together fans, experts, distributors and specialized media from all over the world every year to celebrate the culture, tradition and prestige of Habano. The decision to postpone it seeks to guarantee an optimal environment for the full development of all its activities, presentations and experiences.
 
"The priority of the Habano Festival is to offer its participants a comprehensive experience at the height of the relevance and prestige that this event represents internationally. The postponement of its celebration is a measure aimed at protecting this experience and guaranteeing its excellence," the organizers said.
 
The organizing committee is currently working on setting a new date, which will be announced in a timely manner through the official channels of the Habano Festival. The organization appreciates the understanding and continued support of distributors, sponsors, media and fans, and reaffirms its commitment to return with an edition that honors the tradition, passion and legacy of Habano.
 
For more information and future updates, the media are invited to follow the official channels of Habanos, S.A.

[Ryan]

I will be in Havana anyway. If anyone shows up for the auction, the auction will mostly likely be postponed. But the art will be on view and there will be a welcome cocktail, coffee and a cigar for anyone who arrives.

[LaoFan]

I'm concerned that this might be the last time to go to Cuba as the Cuba we know... trying to decide if I'll go regardless of the cancellation. 

Will keep you posted if I do @Ryan