A Powerful Woman with a Cigar
Sanja, with your journey, one could write a book. Tell us how it all began.
I was a journalist for ten years on radio and television in Sarajevo, my hometown in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At some point, I decided to completely change careers and entered the private oil and tobacco business two sectors that were strictly state-run at the time. Back then, Bosnia and Herzegovina was just starting to open up to the private sector. I received official permission from the then-Prime Minister (Mr. Markovic) to buy and sell these products. My company became the first privately authorized business to trade in oil and tobacco making me the first woman to break the state monopoly in this field.
How did you end up in Geneva?
When war broke out, we faced a family tragedy. Our only son was seriously injured in an explosion. His brain and lungs were affected, and he fought for his life. The neurosurgeon treating him told us our child would die if we didn’t get him out of Sarajevo. I moved mountains to make that happen I managed to leave with him, bring him to Switzerland, and get him the care he needed.
How did you start your new life in Geneva?
Once in Geneva, I focused on integrating. I learned French quickly and gradually entered high society. People saw something in me an energy, a light that drew them in. I worked various jobs, met many people, and eventually joined an investment company. I became a member of their Board of Directors and, shortly after, a partner. It was there that I encountered cigars for the first time.
And that’s when the Lopar cigar story begins?
Not quite yet. One day, I was dining at a fine restaurant in Geneva with some colleagues, and we all lit cigars after the meal. Two local women demonstratively got up and left. One of them came back and started speaking to me very rudely. …….
…….She told me I should be ashamed, asked what I was trying to prove with a cigar, said it wasn’t for women, and that I belonged at home, serving my husband and raising children. I was boiling inside but I stayed calm, slowly turned my cigar, and replied: “I don’t see where it says ‘For men only.’ You can leave my space and let me enjoy myself.”
From that day on, I officially started smoking cigars. Every day, I’d confidently smoke in public in cafés and restaurants to prove that women have the same right to enjoy cigars, whenever and wherever they want.
One day, a photojournalist approached me while I was smoking and asked to take a picture and hear my story. My first article appeared in the luxury magazine Le Trajectoire a beautiful two-page spread. More interviews followed. That’s how the cigar story began. And I realized: the universe always aligns things perfectly, at just the right moment. Nothing happens by chance.
How was the Lopar brand born?
Over time, I noticed I could never finish a cigar it always left a third, known as the purin, full of nicotine, tar, and impurities unbearable to smoke. I wondered if it could be avoided. I began researching and discovered it all depended on how many times the tobacco was fermented. It took me two and a half years of testing and tasting samples before I could create my own cigar.
The Robusto was born in 2009. I remember the exact moment I lit it. The sample was marked No. 5. And for the first time after two years, I knew this was it.
I named it “Sarajevo”, in tribute to my hometown. The blend of flavors earth, wood, forest, black coffee (which we drink constantly back home), and leather was magnificent. And it still is.
But I didn’t stop there I wanted to go further. Over the next four years, I created four more formats. For four years, only a few friends and I enjoyed our creamy cigars. Delighted with the quality and eager to meet growing demand, we founded Lopar International S.A. in 2013 and entered the professional cigar world. It was destiny…..
Tell us about Lopar International cigars.
Our collection features six premium formats: the Robusto (our very first), followed by the Toro, Wide Churchill, Corona, Petite Corona, and Torpedo. They’re handmade in Costa Rica using the finest tobacco leaves. Each cigar has its own personality and unique aroma bouquet.
These are exclusive, entirely hand-rolled, limited-edition cigars.
The latest model was specially created for the Bentley Club of Monaco, who insisted on featuring our cigars in their club. Full details can be found on our website: lopar-international.com. To place an order, just email us at info@lopar-international.com.
How did the idea for the Lopar Gala come about?
The cigar-themed afterwork events I hosted were always very popular and highly appreciated far more than your typical “seen-it-before” events. So, I decided to host my first gala night at the Hôtel d’Angleterre in Geneva in February 2016. Since then, every February, my galas are held at this iconic hotel.
Usually, the winter galas take place in Geneva, and since 2023, the spring/summer ones are hosted in Croatia as luxurious weekend getaways.
Who were this year’s gala partners?
In addition to our loyal and wonderful hosts at Hôtel d’Angleterre, Les Ambassadeurs Geneva, and Caviar House & Prunier Geneva, we were joined by:
Girard-Perregaux, Bovet, Byblos St. Tropez, Swift Copter Geneva, Bentley Club Monaco, Pasquale Bruni, Ulysse Nardin, John Taylor, Azur Luxury Rent, Blancpain, Pernod Ricard Switzerland, Margueritte Guyot Champagne, Hôtel Casa Rose Cannes, and new this year:
Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen (fine jewelry), Frédérique Constant (Swiss watchmaking), Etiquette fashion house, Maison de couture Sarajevo-Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tartufi Istra (Croatian truffles), Deklic winery (Istria, Croatia), and Chiavalon Olive Oil (Istria, Croatia).
And the famous cigar competition that’s now part of the gala?
Yes, we established a competition for cigar aficionados with strict rules:
Light your cigar using no more than two matches, don’t let the ash fall for 40 minutes, and make sure the cigar never goes out.
The four finalists win prestigious prizes.
This year was amazing many women participated! More and more women are enjoying cigars, and that truly makes me happy.
We also surprised our guests with a spectacular fashion show, themed around Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut. The show, presented by Etiquette and curated by the stunning and talented designer Melisa Hujic a dear friend from Sarajevo included five stunning candlelit gowns, modeled by guests wearing Venetian masks from the beginning to the end of the show.
The dresses were auctioned off for the Bosana Foundation. These are always deeply emotional moments for me.
For my galas, I always organize at least two rich entertainment programs: one for smokers, and one for non-smokers.
I can’t wait for the next edition and neither can my partners.
The Place To Be!
@cigars_lopar_international
