Tribute to Cuban Tobacco Tradition in Craft Fair

Source from:  Prensa Latina 12/11/2013

Tobacco Cases decorated with the image of legendary Cuban tobacco growers, revere today the traditional crop in the International Crafts Fair Fiart 2013, dedicated to the western province of the island.

Headquartered in Havana at the Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña until December 22, the exhibition compiles pieces of native artisans of this area famous for the excellence of its tobacco crops. The humidors or trunks, designed to preserve the Habanos are sold in countries of Asia, Europe and America, said promoters of the creative group named De Cuba.

The bright and colorful humidors, made of cedar, highlights the face of Alejandro Robaina, famous farmer deceased, and iconic factories dedicated to the twisted for export.

Habanos S.A. is one of the main customs of the delicate pieces, made by artisans in various workshops.

This is a very importan line of business for the Cuban Fund of Cultural Assets (FCBC), looking into new foreign markets, told Prensa Latina Juan Lopez, provincial director of that institution.

Equipped with devices to determine and control the humidity, tobacco humidors evoke tradition of the region, 140 kilometers from Havana, and pay tribute to renowned growers.

Containers are decorated with different procedures as direct wood caving, silk screens using special inks and techniques, or marquetry, in which small parts come together to make fantastic drawings.

Formerly known as Vueltabajo , Pinar del Río provides 70 percent of the national production of sheet and most of the layers used to wear the prized cigar bands .

Works of Pedro Pablo Oliva, "National Prize of Plastic Arts"; Humberto Hernandez, Mario Portela, Ulises Bretaña, Raul Fernandez and other renowned Cuban painters, also enhance the XVII edition of the International Fair of Crafts Fiart 2013, attended by representatives from 16 countries.

Original paintings of prominent artists from this province, joined the great exhibition and sale, confirmed the director of FCBC.

Portela and Fernandez are known for thier ladscapes, inspired by the famous Valle de Viñales and other symbols of the Cuban countryside, while Humberto recreates marine scenes from his native Puerto Esperanza, in times of storm. Enditem