Spain's traditional abanico finds new life amid scorching heatwaves
As heatwaves grip Spain, the traditional abanico hand fan is seeing a resurgence among all ages, blending heritage with practical relief.
As successive heatwaves push temperatures across Western Europe to punishing levels, an old-fashioned accessory has become an essential tool for coping in Spain. The traditional folding hand fan, known as the abanico, is now a common sight in crowded metro cars, sun-drenched plazas, and even at concerts and festivals.
Small enough to fit in a purse, the abanico snaps open into a semicircle with a flick of the wrist, creating a surprisingly strong breeze. Its appeal cuts across generations and genders. For 20-year-old Ana Feliu, the fan is a dual-purpose tool. "I love using the fans on the street, not only to try to fan air onto me but also to cover myself from the sun," she said, noting that her favorite fan was a gift from a Valencian festival.
David Gonzalez, 53, initially hesitated to use one. "In the beginning I was a bit embarrassed because it is an item that is mostly linked with women," he admitted. "But I acknowledge it is useful and it makes my day better and in the end you leave your prejudices aside and today I take it everywhere."
The abanico has a deep history in Spain, arriving in Europe through Portuguese trade with Asia in the 15th century. By the 18th and 19th centuries, it was a staple of aristocratic society, even developing a coded "language of the fan" for discreet flirtation. Madrid became a key production hub, and Valencia later emerged as the capital of fan-making.
Today, the tradition lives on in specialty shops like Casa de Diego in Madrid, where owner Javier Llerandi notes that sales are booming. "We live from the heat," he said. He points out that traditional fans are more reliable than electric ones, which often run out of battery at the worst possible moment. His shop sells hand-made fans ranging from simple wooden models to elaborate pieces costing thousands of euros.
The fan's cultural resonance is also strong in the arts. Flamenco dancer Carmen Torres explains that the fan is a perfect accessory for the dance style La Guajira, which blends Cuban influences with Andalusian flamenco. "The element of the fan is a perfect accessory, in one hand it evokes the heat and humidity of Cuba and it also allows us to incorporate the nuances of seduction that this dance involves," she said. "Now with the heat that is happening around the world this is a wonderful object to carry in your hands and help to cope with the heat."