Variety and elegance
Dulshani Gunawardena
Cuba is famed for its revolutionary leaders, for its radical
politics; but who would have dreamed of Cuba and fans?
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Originally from Spain, this fan with its subtle hues displaying
a young lady with her dog, ighlights the life of Spanish
nobility |
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Crafted in China and bringing out the exotic Orient, this fan is
a mirror of Chinese everyday life of the bygone days
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Manufactures in Spain, this eye catching fan brings out Spanish
country life using vivid and dramatic hues Pictures by Ruwan de
Silva |
Dulce Maria Loynaz, the famous Cuban writer, proved quite the
opposite by once declaring,'The fan is not an accessory, but something
that comprises perfection, a work of art and as such must be respected'.
Legend holds that she had a separate wardrobe with a collection of over
200 fans! An exhibition of ancient Cuban fans is being held at the Audio
Visual Room of The Colombo National Museum.
Organized by the Embassy of Cuba in commemoration of the Cuban
Culture Day (October 20)and 20 years of Sri Lanka-Cuba diplomatic
relations, it commenced on October 21 and will continue till October 30.
The inauguration ceremony for the exhibition was held at The National
Museum on October 20. Presided by Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba,
Mrs. Nirsia Castro Guevara, it was attended by noted guests as Minister
of Petroleum and Petroleum Resources development, A. H. M. Fowzie, Dr.
Nanda Wickramasinghe (Director/Museums) and Somaweera Amarasinghe.
Nirsia Castro expounds that the Cuban National day is celebrated in
honour of October 20, 1868 when the Cuban National anthem was first
sung, evoking feelings of patriotism and oneness among Cuban citizens.
Fans, being an integral part of Cuban art was the theme used this year
to give Sri Lankans an understanding of Cuban culture. The exquisite
pieces on exhibition are part of the collection of the Cuban Historic
Museum in Havana.
Fans were a symbol of wealth and status in nineteenth century Cuba.
The fans on display were brought to Cuba by affluent families in the
19th century from countries as diverse and far sprung as China, France,
Spain and Hong Kong. Cuba itself had five factories at that time solely
dedicated to manufacturing folding fans. These fans were crafted with
precious lace, silks or parchment. They were exotically decorated with
paintings of myths, Biblical passages and even with the family portrait
or initials of the owner. Delicate floral arrangements were crafted on
the handle.
Fans in general have a long and colourful history. Dating as far back
to the paintings in Ancient Egypt, fans became a symbol of status in
Ancient China and Japan.
The use of fans in Europe was popularized in the Middle Ages, with
ladies of the nobility having their portraits done with fans as
accessories. Fans became popular in Cuba through their Spanish heritage
and this craze ranged till the early twentieth century. Even today, fans
are considered as masterpieces, with many wealthy families boasting
collections of ancient fans. |
