Some historians say that Camariñas lace may have arrived here thanks to trade between Galician ports and the Netherlands in the 16th and 17th centuries. Others tell a much more romantic story: an Italian girl was rescued after a terrible shipwreck in Camariñas and, as a thank you, taught the women of the town the art of bolillo, spreading this knowledge throughout the Costa da Morte.
And then there is the most poetic and ingenious theory: that it was the women of Camariñas themselves, hardworking and restless, who developed this art and took it beyond our lands, because if there is one thing we Galicians have, it is that traveling and dreaming spirit that makes us always seek new horizons.
Which of these stories is true? Some have more historical basis than others, but we leave it to you to choose the one you like best. What is clear is that, since then, lace has been part of our identity, and today we are going to tell you how the Camariñas Lace Exhibition was born, the event that keeps this unique legacy alive.
It was Easter 1991 and something big was brewing in Camariñas. No one knew yet that that event would mark a before and after in the history of lace, but the first Mostra was about to be born. Bautista Santos, mayor of the town, together with Fernando González Laxe, former president of the Xunta, the Minister of Industry Juan Fernández and Salvador Fernández Moreda, president of the Provincial Council of A Coruña, were in charge of inaugurating this dream come true.
If there is one thing that defines the Mostra do Encaixe, besides tradition and fashion, it is its commitment to creativity in all its forms. The posters have always been authentic works of art, full of color, symbolism and innovation. Each edition surprises us with a design that captures the soul of lace and Camariñas, fusing history and modernity with a groundbreaking touch. Here, the poster is not just for looking at… it is for showing off!
And as the Mostra never stops reinventing itself, in recent years it has hit the screens with promotional spots that are pure audiovisual magic. From Fíos de Lenda, which plunged us between myth and reality, to Camariñas, a sea of piques, which captures the essence of lace and the sea in a vibrant story, each video makes the passion for the Mostra cross borders. Because here, not only is lace experienced… it is also told, felt and spread throughout the world!
If only our great-grandmothers had raised their heads! When journalists asked them about the future of lace, many of them said without a doubt: “This will disappear one day”. But they couldn’t have been more wrong. Lace has resisted, evolved and shone like never before. The City Council of Camariñas knew how to see the potential of this ancient art and launched the Mostra, turning it into a global showcase for lacemakers. What began as an attempt to dignify the work of our women ended up becoming a symbol of identity and pride. Today, decades later, the thread remains unbroken. And it will continue to be woven, between tradition, passion and the future.
English (UK) 
Galego 
Español