Cuba to Hold Major International Events in 2005

An assorted agenda of international congresses and meetings will mark Cuba´s travel industry in 2005, a sector that´s increasingly putting its smart money on incentive travels and events.

According to a press release issued by the Cuba Convention Bureau, twenty-something countries have confirmed their attendance to Pedagogy 2005, a conclave that will gather educators from around the world from January 31 to February 4 at the Havana International Conference Center.

ALIMEXPO 2005, entirely devoted to the food processing industry, will take place from March 8 to 12 next year at the EXPOCUBA Fairgrounds in the outskirts of the nation´s capital.

Members of the organizing committee expect a massive turnout of representatives from Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Switzerland, France, Italy, Venezuela, Canada and the United States. One of the event´s highlights will surely be the Gourmet Show, sponsored by Cuba´s Federation of Culinary Associations and the island nation´s Barmen Club.

Another major event scheduled for 2005 is the International Children´s Choirs Festival (from July 18 to 22), penciled in as the fourth largest meeting of its kind in the Americas. The venue will be Havana´s Amadeo Roldan Theater.

The International Book Festival (February 3 through 13 at the San Carlos de la Cabaña Fortress in Havana) will come around in its 14th edition with 34 host cities across the country.

Next year´s book fair will be devoted to Brazil and members of the organizing committee are hoping to see troves of writers, musicians and artists from the turf and overseas coming in. Top homage honors will go to playwright Abelardo Estorino and Cuban poet Indio Nabori.

Mr. Corona also informed about the Seventh International Habano Festival from February 21 to 25 next year, with a projected attendance of hundreds of cigar aficionados from at least 45 nations.