Rolling their own: making (and smoking) cigars at Cuban festival

A man lits his self-made cigar during a cigar rolling seminar at the XIV Festival del Habano in Havana, Cuba on Wednesday.This year focuses on the Cohiba brand and its famous El Laguito factory and the Romeo y Julieta brand. International sales of luxury Havana Cigars rose 9 per cent in 2011 despite the world financial crisis and antismoking laws, according to Corporacion Habanos S.A.

Delegates to the XIV Cigar Festival attend a master class on how to hand roll a cigar, on Wednesday in Havana.

General view of a cigar rolling seminar during the XIV Festival del Habano in Cuba.

A woman looks at the product of her efforts during a cigar rolling seminar during the XIV Festival del Habano in Havana.