The lector provides entertainment during work.

The craft of cigar making has always been steeped in tradition, especially in Cuba, the quintessential cigar country. Some of these traditions are largely unknown in Europe and may seem unusual at first glance, but in Cuba, they remain an integral part of the production process in the galeras. Undoubtedly, one of these is the position of the lector (or "reader" in English).

Tradition and Significance of the Lector

When you enter a Galera de Torcido, the main workspace of a cigar factory, it inevitably feels reminiscent of a classroom. Much like in school, the numerous torcedoras and torcedores sit at their workstations, rolling handmade cigars. However, they are certainly not students; quite the contrary. The art of rolling cigars requires thorough training, and only after years of experience do these workers acquire the skills needed to craft truly perfect cigars.

To stay alert, focused, and add variety to the workday, they are traditionally supported by a lector, who quite literally serves as a reader. The selection of literature varies significantly, and the preferences of the torcedores are taken into account. When the position of the lector was introduced in the 19th century, reaching its peak in the early 20th century, classic dramas such as Romeo and Juliet and great adventure novels like The Count of Monte Cristo were particularly popular. It is no coincidence that some of the most famous Cuban cigar brands bear names from classic literature.

The lector's place was on a speaker’s platform, called the "tribuna." To perform this role, one needed a clear, strong, and appropriately loud voice, some level of education, and a good deal of acting talent. After all, all the characters in a novel or play had to be voiced by a single person.

The lector didn’t just read classical literature. They also read from current newspapers and political writings—during the height of the Cuban independence movement, some of these texts were even written by the lectores themselves. The reading thus served not only to entertain but also to educate the workers. Many were illiterate, which further underscores the importance and significance of the lector’s role.

In the 20th century, like in many other industries, radios increasingly found their way into the galeras, so the lector no longer holds the same importance as in the past. However, Cuban cigar factories still uphold the tradition of having a lector to this day.

Founded by the Legendary Jaime Partagás Ravelo

The tradition of reading aloud in the Cuban galeras de torcido was established by none other than the legendary Don Jaime Partagás Ravelo. A native of Catalonia, he arrived in Cuba in 1831 and founded the "Real Fabricas de Tabaco Partagás" in 1845, the "Royal Tobacco Factory Partagás." The factory still exists today and is the only one that has continued to operate uninterrupted despite all the political upheavals. Don Jaime Partagás Ravelo was a controversial figure as a businessman. Despite his success—the brand was awarded the Gold Medal at the Paris World Exhibition in 1867—he had numerous conflicts with competitors, particularly with the brand Cabañas Cigars .

However, the brand survived all conflicts and turmoil and remains, alongside Cohiba Cigars and Montecristo Cigars , one of the most famous Cuban cigar brands. These three brands are considered the "Holy Trinity" of Cuban cigar craftsmanship—and a lector, who reads to the torcedoras and torcedores, can still be found in the Partagás galera today.