Youth trend ‘aura farming’ sparks large gatherings in Elche and Terrassa

A viral social media trend known as ‘aura farming’ has moved from digital platforms to real-world gatherings among youth in Spain. Participants engage in ‘aura battles,’ which are non-contact competitions where individuals perform specific gestures, poses, or movements to demonstrate charisma, confidence, and style.

In Elche, hundreds of adolescents gathered near the Basilica of Santa Maria to compete for public applause and recognition. Experts suggest the trend represents a shift in self-representation, where individuals actively compete to make their digital and physical image more ‘viral’ and desirable.

Similar large-scale gatherings have occurred in Terrassa, where hundreds of young people met to perform extravagant movements. These activities include various styles such as breakdancing and specific choreographed gestures, aimed at accumulating ‘aura’ through public validation and social media recording.