The Story of German Families in Cuba’s Tobacco Industry Unraveled

One of the most anticipated moments within the 16th Habano Festival’s International Seminar was no doubt the master lecture entitled “Germans in Habanos: The Origin of the H. Upmann Brand,” dictated by renowned researcher Raul Martell.

Delegates listened to the presentation with excitement as the lecturer shed light on the origins of this major brand, beginning with the arrival in Havana of German banker Herman Upmann, a man who eventually settled down in the city in 1840 to found a bank and a cigar factory.

“The H. Upmann brand keeps a high level of quality worldwide, standing today as one of the most significant trademarks within Habanos S.A.’s portfolio,” Mr. Martell was quoted as saying.

“Its employees and executives are committed to continuing the same path the brand has traveled on for 170 years, and being resilient enough to adapt to the changes the country needs to step up productivity and competitiveness in the world market.

“But the inheritance of the factory’s founders was not only splayed into the brand named after them, but also in the Cuban-German family that proudly calls itself Upmann,” Mr. Martell averred.

Also as part of the seminar, a lecture entitle “Tobacco, Filmmaking and Great Smokers in History” dictated by Cuban movie director Rigoberto Lopez.