As Spain grapples with a scorching heatwave, with temperatures soaring to 42°C (107°F) on July 14, 2025, a renewed passion for hand fans has swept the nation, blending tradition with necessity.
The AEMET weather agency issued a red alert for central regions like Madrid and Toledo, prompting residents to revive the use of the abanico, a handcrafted fan with roots in 16th-century Moorish culture. Artisans in Seville report a 40% sales surge, with tourists and locals alike snapping up designs ranging from lace to bamboo, priced between €5 and €50, as air conditioning strains under demand.
The trend reflects both practicality, reducing heat stress, which caused 1,000 heat-related deaths in 2022 per the Spanish Ministry of Health and cultural pride, with fan-making workshops seeing record attendance. Environmentalists praise the low-carbon alternative, though some urban dwellers criticize its limited efficacy against prolonged heat.
Social media is abuzz with fan-dancing tutorials, while retailers like El Corte Inglés have expanded stock, signaling a potential shift in summer norms as climate change intensifies, with 2025 projected as Spain’s hottest year yet by climate models.