Fanzines see cultural resurgence through education and research

Fanzines, the self-published and artisanal publications, are experiencing a resurgence as tools for artistic expression and critical thinking in Spain and Mexico.

In Spain, educational initiatives are integrating fanzines into classrooms. The CEP Santa Cruz de Tenerife has scheduled a training session for November 2026, led by María Mercedes Estévez Melchor, to teach educators how to use fanzines as pedagogical tools. The program covers topics such as manual binding, layout design, and the integration of themes like equality and environmentalism. Other workshops and experimental activities are also being held in cities like Madrid and Logroño.

In Mexico, the Museo Nacional de la Estampa, in collaboration with the Secretariat of Culture and the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature (INBAL), will host ‘Zineposio: 100 years of fanzine’ on October 17. This event, held as part of the 5th Oaxaca International Poster Biennial, will bring together creators and researchers to discuss the social and historical impact of self-publishing. The meeting references the centenary of the 1926 American publication ‘The Comet’ and explores the fanzine’s historical links to underground and countercultural movements.