In a scorching Spain, the traditional folding hand fan is having a moment

Madrid, Spain has seen a resurgence in popularity for the traditional folding hand fan, known as abanico, due to the sweltering summer heat. These small, folding fans are compact enough to fit in a purse and provide a surprisingly strong breeze when flicked open.

Both young and old, both Spanish and international, have been embracing the abanico, particularly during heat waves that pushed temperatures in Western Europe to punishing levels this summer. The accessory was prominently featured during Madrid's Pride celebrations in July, with rainbow-colored abanicos adorning women and men alike.

David González, a 53-year-old resident, proudly displayed his abanico adorned with pinks, purples, and reds. He admitted to initially feeling self-conscious about the accessory, which is often associated with women, but acknowledged its practicality and the joy it brings him. Historians believe the folding fan reached Europe through Portuguese trade with Asia in the 15th and 16th centuries, with Spain developing its own taste and industry for abanicos by the 18th century.

The abanico has long been a symbol of Spanish aristocracy, with women using it to express flirtation, interest, or disapproval through a form of "fan language." The fan traveled to Latin America, where flamenco dancers incorporated it as an expressive prop, adding to its association with the seductive, coquettish qualities of the dance form.

Nowadays, Javier Llerandi's family-run shop in Madrid, Casa de Diego, continues to sell abanicos made from various materials, ranging from simple wooden fans to elaborate, hand-painted pieces crafted from mother-of-pearl. Even plastic fans with printed designs are available at souvenir kiosks for a few euros. Llerandi notes that heat waves are beneficial for his business, as the fans are more reliable than their electric counterparts.