The Timeless Charm of Spain’s Handheld Fan Amid Rising Heat
As Madrid’s packed metro sweltered under the intense summer heat, one passenger’s simple act of snapping open her handheld fan became a quiet display of timeless practicality, drawing envious glances from others craving relief.
Far from being outdated, the handheld fan remains a quintessential Spanish accessory, with its relevance reinforced by designer creativity and the increasingly oppressive summer temperatures intensified by climate change. For many, including 69-year-old pensioner Rosa Nunez, the fan is more reliable than electronic alternatives.
“With handheld fans, the battery runs for a lifetime,” she said with a smile, highlighting how this traditional tool continues to offer comfort amid the realities of modern heatwaves.
