Culture

Last hand fan workshop in Paris struggles to survive

Paris (France), Feb 18 (EFE), (Camera: Martí Rodríguez).- The last hand fan workshop still open in Paris, owned by a family of artisans who has been making these accessories for more than 100 years, is at risk of disappearing since it faces a debt of 117,000 euros for the rent of the premises.FOOTAGE OF ATELIER HOGUET. SOUNDBITES OF ANNE HOGUET:"My name is Anne Hoguet and I am 74 years old. My great-grandfather founded his hand fan workshop in 1889 and I am the fourth generation of artisans." "I started when I was 14, in 1960. My father, who was a hand fan craftsman, bought the last hand fan workshop in Paris." "But little by little, we started facing there were difficulties: some works in the building made it difficult for customers to access the store and the museum. So I decided to spend less time on all this and I couldn't pay the rent for the premises.""When the story was published by the press, the Americans were the first to react, because they highly appreciate French heritage, and they asked if there was any crowdfunding to help. It seemed like a good idea and a neighbour helped me get it started."