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The yacht Symphony, owned by Bernard Arnault, consistently regarded as the richest man in Europe, docked in the port of Havana in recent days, highlighting the stark contrast between the extreme luxury of the vessel and the profound economic crisis facing Cuba.
Arnault, a French businessman and CEO of the luxury conglomerate LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy), often tops the rankings of wealthiest individuals from Forbes and Bloomberg, ahead of billionaires like Amancio Ortega.
Although there is no official confirmation of his presence on the Island, a French media outlet reported that the mogul may have been in Cuba, coinciding with the arrival of the yacht in mid-month.
The Symphony, which has apparently already departed from the Port of Havana, was built by the prestigious Dutch shipyard Royal Van Lent (Feadship) and was, at the time, considered the largest yacht produced by the company.
It measures 101 meters in length and was purchased by Arnault in 2015. Its exterior design was handled by Tim Heywood, one of the most recognized names in the industry, while the interior was created by Zuretti Interior Design, a firm specializing in superyacht decor.
The vessel has a capacity for 20 passengers distributed across eight luxury cabins, in addition to 16 rooms for a crew of 38 people.
The construction cost was estimated at around 150 million dollars, but its annual maintenance ranges between 10 and 15 million, a figure that many Cubans find difficult to even imagine.
The yacht features six decks, a pool with a glass bottom and a waterfall, an outdoor cinema, an indoor cinema, a private terrace with a sauna and jacuzzi, as well as a removable golf course with biodegradable balls.
It can reach a maximum speed of 21 knots and features a hybrid propulsion system that reduces energy consumption by 30%, combining traditional engines with modern generators and eco-friendly batteries.
The presence of the Symphony in Havana triggered ironic reactions and criticism on social media.
“Let's confiscate it and exchange it for a thermoelectric plant,” joked a user, referring to the energy crisis in the country.
The presence of the luxurious yacht starkly contrasted with the extreme misery on the island.
The buildings in Old Havana that overlook the sea and are on the verge of collapse have witnessed that in today's Cuba, luxury sails just a few meters away from misery.
Arnault does not have LVMH stores in Cuba, although he has maintained specific ties with the island.
In 2015, during the thaw in relations with the United States, the businessman sponsored several international artists at the XII Havana Biennial and organized artistic conferences leading up to the event. Additionally, the LVMH group owns Eminente, a premium Cuban rum launched in 2020 and created by the master rum maker from Villa Clara, César Martí.
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