For the first time at the Habanos Festival - The YouTube premiere with heart, smoke and lots of fun

Habanos Festival / April 15, 2025, 8:00 p.m. - the countdown is on. 83 viewers are watching live as the premiere of the travel documentary "For the first time at the Habanos Festival" begins on YouTube. What follows is a 37-minute film full of curiosity, enjoyment and plenty of Cuban flair.

👉 Before we go any further: Get exclusive cigar stories, insider tips and background knowledge - for subscribers only. No advertising. Just pure enjoyment. Now free of charge Become a cigar.zone INSIDER. ONLY IN GERMAN LANGUAGE.

Watch on Vimeo if you don't have a YouTube account

Watch on YouTube if you have an account

For the very first time

In the leading role: Thomas Kobela passionate cigar lover who is fulfilling a lifelong dream. For the very first time, he travels to Cubaparticipates in the legendary Habanos Festival and experiences his very first Cohiba.

The film takes us on an emotional journey. From Thomas' meticulous preparation at home in Switzerland, to his first impressions in Havana, to the wonderful tobacco plantation of Héctor Luis in Pinar del Río. There he not only experiences the tobacco harvest up close, but also gets to try a cigar. roll by hand - a moment that leaves him speechless (which is really rare with Thomas 😄).

During the premiere, the YouTube stream ran hot in the chat

Thomas, Claudia (from the film team) and Vasilij (director, camera, editor) chatted live with the viewers, answered questions and laughed at little anecdotes from the shoot.

A few highlights from the chat? Gladly:

💬 The Thomas cam is a cool idea 

💬 Please note the raffia skirt! 😜

💬 Tourist fuss! 🤣

💬 A sand painting - wow!

💬 Oh, shopping is so exhausting ☺️

💬 "Influencer" Fotoooo, you guys are some 🤣🤣

💬 great pictures from Laguito

💬 At the Capitolio: Best Habanos event in Cuba for years!

💬 Hector Luis really does have the most beautiful finca, no question about it

💬 The needles look dangerous!

💬 Gala evening: You can't see it, but it was really cold in there

💬 Yeahaaaa - Vasilij with hip swing 🤣🤣🤣🤣 and Baschtröckliii

This is the separate video about tobacco cultivation, drying, etc.

What do ZiZo friends who were able to see the movie before the premiere say about it?

As the owner of a cigar manufactory and a long-time lover of Cuba, this movie picked me up straight away. Vasilij Ratej accompanies the protagonist Thomas on his journey to the Habanos Festival. The result is not a classic advertising film, but a personal, calm look at a world of tradition and craftsmanship.

Particularly beautiful: the scenes with Claudia Puszkar, who guides us through Havana and the festival with great expertise. Her love of cigars is palpable without ever coming across as preachy.

The camera often stays still for longer than you are used to. That's good. It creates space. For faces. For hands. For moods.

I was particularly touched by the insights into the factories. The people who work there have their say. You can feel the respect that the filmmaker has for them.

The calm music and the successful editing also show: Someone really wanted to tell a story here - not just show it. Ratej takes his time. That has become rare.

For me, this movie is a small gift. A declaration of love to Cuba and to the craft. And for everyone who, like me, not only smokes cigars but also wants to understand them, it is absolutely worth seeing.

Hasta la Vista!

- Annette Meisl, LA GALANA

Inspiring, enjoyable and also thought-provoking. It is a completely different world from the one in which the Cuban population lives its everyday life. Spoiler alert: The raffia skirt - so funny! Be sure to watch the movie to the end! It's the small details that make a big impression - between smoke, rhythm and reality. A tribute to passion, told with a wink and a lot of heart.

- Mark Kuster, founder of the Children's aid organization Camaquito

Once again an entertaining and informative movie in "Vasilij-Style". A healthy mix of cigars, travel and enjoyment. The variety and the video editing ensure that you don't get bored and you can enjoy a cigar and indulge in dreams. The movie makes me want to travel to Cuba again soon. Thank you for the beautiful shots.

- Christian Schmid, FotoWerk 132

Entertaining, humorous - and yet with an occasional insight into reality. An impressive document about an island in transition, where luxury and poverty are drifting further and further apart. A big compliment to every single member of the dedicated team - and a heartfelt thank you for allowing me to immerse myself in the life of my second home. Spoiler: Will the bast skirt now be on display at the Tropicana?

- Roland Anderegg

Very good, entertaining and amusing. The film is beautifully edited and offers a successful mix of information, facts and fun. The visual language is also convincing - with harmonious colors and lots of dynamics. Spoiler: The new Tropicana star - simply great!

- Benno & Marion

For me, this is an all-round successful documentary - with a lot of sensitivity and an authentic view of Thomas' journey. Every scene seems honest, approachable and well filmed. You can feel the passion behind the project. Congratulations on this fantastic work!

- Thomas Portmann / La Casa del Habano St. Gallen by Urs Portmann

It was a fantastic video. It reminded me a lot of my beloved Cuba. The video quality is really very good. And I've always wanted to go to the cigar festival. This video makes me want to go even more.

- Yosvany Ortega - Photographer and videographer

Not just another movie from Cigar Zone. This time we are looking forward to the full program of the Habano Festival. Typical Vasijli with a lot of expertise, a sense of enjoyment, great pictures, a good atmosphere and the usual pinch of mischief. Entertaining and enjoyable. A must-see - preferably with a cigar and rum in hand.

- Stefan Bütikofer, Casa Colonial Avo Lounge, Neuenhof

Conclusion

The premiere was a complete success. Not because of the number of clicks, but because of the community, the shared experience and the honest enthusiasm for a journey that was not only geographically but also emotionally far-reaching.

If you missed the movie - no problem. The recording is now available on Vasilij's YouTube channel. Watch it, sit back, light up a good cigar - and travel to Cuba with Thomas.

Have you ever been to the Habanos Festival? How was your experience? Leave us a short comment! Without registration, following this post.

More smoke. With me.💨🤗

YOUTUBE 📺 @genussmitvasilij  
👉 Videos, conversations, cigars in motion

INSTAGRAM 📸 @v4silij  
👉 A personal look behind the scenes

INSTAGRAM 📸 @zigarrenzone  
👉 Magazine highlights, events & moments of pleasure