The XXXII Camariñas Lace Exhibition invites the public to discover during Easter why 'Camariñas is in fashion'

The XXXII Camariñas Lace Exhibition of the Provincial Council of A Coruña has begun, an edition that will be held from today, Wednesday, April 5, to Sunday, April 9 and that with the slogan 'Camariñas is in fashion' wants to claim the relevance of its fashion catwalk and the application of lace as an accessory and in clothing. 

This edition redoubles its commitment to highlighting the ancient tradition of Camariñas lace as a fashion element that is at the forefront and is being used by many of the most recognized designers nationally. To do this, the Camariñas Lace Show wants to use an incomparable setting such as the beautiful and imposing landscapes of the municipality.

The mayor of Camariñas, Sandra Insua, the president of the A Coruña Provincial Council, Valentín González Formoso, the deputy delegate of the Government, María Rivas, and the delegate of the Xunta in A Coruña, Gonzalo Trenor, were in charge of cutting the lace ribbon that symbolically marks the start of the Mostra.

Sandra Insua described the Mostra as “the largest lace meeting in the world, with a history of 32 years” and recalled that “at this event, in our house, in addition to lace workshops and crafts, one of the most important fashion catwalks in Spain is held, where collections from the most important national designers and future design stars are presented”.

In her speech, the mayor also wanted to highlight that “The Mostra experienced an edition after the Prestige, in a town overwhelmed by the suffocation and grief. The Mostra experienced a pandemic, and we had to reinvent ourselves so as not to die. The Mostra, each edition, carries something of ourselves. The effort of those who want to see it big and growing, the fight of the women who give hours, days and months so that the most beautiful thing that can come out of their hands is the cover of an international event that represents us all.”

In this sense, he expressed that now "the Mostra do Encaixe enters its thirties as many of us do, with the doubts of a maturity that has deserved a great fight and willing to be part of that future that opens before us. "The privilege that many of us have is to be part of all this and to be able to continue giving part of ourselves to Camariñas, its neighbors and this industry that derives both in being fresh and sensible, the one of the oldest, who no longer stick within the limits of a cloth, but do it beyond the pillow itself", he stated.

For his part, Valentín González Formoso, highlighted that “the Lace Fair is already a reference event during these dates, positioning Camariñas as the epicenter of fashion throughout the Spanish territory, and even internationally”. “In addition, during the last few years, it has become a great breeding ground for emerging talent, already holding 29 editions of the young talent competition, serving as "It is an impetus for so many young people who put their passion into the fashion sector and seek to develop their talent around sewing," he said.

"From the Provincial Council of A Coruña we have collaborated with this Exhibition for more than three decades, highlighting all this material and intangible heritage, which we can only enjoy in the town of Camariñas, a heritage that lives in all the people who do their bit every day so that lace not only continues to stay alive, but also transmits its importance and value to future generations", he indicated.

María Rivas emphasized that the palilleiras have turned “a traditional craft into a universal one” and pointed out that “talking about the Mostra do Encaixe, talking about Camariñas, is talking about tradition, but it is also talking about fashion and what art means and represents”. “You palilleiras are the best example of what an artist is, I am sure that no one loves more, no one cherishes their work more than each of you”, she stated. 

Finally, Gonzalo Trenor highlighted that “lace is the identity sign of Camariñas, which is why this land is known and appreciated in all corners of the planet. The proof is that during these days tourists from all continents will pass through this facility”. He also stressed that “almost 60% of Galician lacemakers reside in this municipality and we can find these exquisite works for sale in a multitude of specialized stores”.

After the relevant visit to the different stalls and stands located in the two municipal pavilions set up for the occasion, the authorities present will witness the 'Pequencaixe' parade and, finally, will attend the inaugural catwalk of the Mostra, in which the participating firms will show for the first time the collections they have prepared for the Mostra with lace as the protagonist. Before the Great Designers parade that will close that first day, DJ SON1C will premiere the dance version of the song 'Camariñas', accompanied by singer Alicia Bautis, and the music of the Danza de Arcos.

XXXII Lace Exhibition

This edition of the Mostra will feature more fashion shows than ever before. Over the five days, a total of 13 brands in the category of 'Great Designers' will take to the catwalks of the Mostra to show their lace creations. This year we will have the presence of Modesto Lomba, Dolores Cortés, Esteban Freiría, Edith del Valle, Claudina Mata, Franco Quintáns, Andion, Ana Cabranes, Miquel Suay, Jorge de Álvarez, K-Kou, José Matteos and Sara Lage.

In addition, there will also be the XXIX New Designers Competition in which a total of 4,500 euros in prizes will be distributed and a total of 40 young people who are taking their first steps in the world of fashion will participate. This edition debuts a new category, that of the most commercial collection. On Friday the 7th at 8:30 pm the meeting between great and new designers will be held and on Sunday the 9th, from 7:30 pm, the jury's decision will be announced

The 'ArtEncaixe' parade, which is gradually being consolidated in the program, will premiere on Thursday, April 6, at 12:45 p.m. This year, 12 artisans will arrive from different parts of Galicia to demonstrate that lace is versatile and can be adapted to different materials: Arteviares, Estilo Aramar, Escola Mestre Masteo, Suso Calo, Zeltia ao Aire, Ana Freiría, Janet Schulz, Mar Barral, Olería de Buño, Ondas do Mar and Susi Gesto.

Another novelty of this edition is the 'ReEncaixando' parade in which the collections of some of the participants of the New Designers competition from the previous edition, from the year 2022, will return to the Mostra. It will take place on Sunday, April 9 at 12:45 p.m. 

Thursday, April 6th was also the day chosen to hold a parade of tribute to the palilleras (7:15 p.m.), responsible for preserving the tradition of the municipality with their own hands, in which ArtEncaixe, the Great Designers and PequEncaixe will participate.

Once again, the international delegations will return to the Mostra. On Saturday the 8th at 7:15 pm, the first parade of the 'International lacemakers' delegations'. They will repeat on Sunday 9 at 12:45 p.m. 10 delegations from: Belgium (Bruges), Bulgaria (Sofia), Slovakia (Krakovani), Italy (Gubbio), Italy (Novedrate), Italy (Trapani), Switzerland (Locarno), Poland (Bobowa), Portugal (Peniche) and Portugal (Serra d' El Rei). 

One of the most anticipated moments of the Festival are the fashion shows. 'Small box'. The 50 girls and boys from the Municipal Schools create their own lace throughout the school year to later design the dresses and parade in the Show. They become lace makers, designers and models. 

The same thing happens in the parade of 'Senior Lacemakers of Camariñas' which will take place on Sunday 17th at 7:30 pm during the closing ceremony of the event and in which residents of the municipality show the public the creations they have made throughout the year. In addition, this parade will have a marked charitable nature since it is done in collaboration with the Spanish Association Against Cancer. 

Lopes, Touriñán and other outstanding actions in the program

This year, attendees will be able to enjoy the music of the Camariñán Lopez (Sunday 9th at 9pm as the closing of the Mostra) and laugh out loud with Touriñán in a monologue that will take place on Saturday, April 8, at 8:30 p.m. on the catwalk itself. 

During the five days, the folklore of the villages will be heard in the pavilions of the Mostra, mixed with the sound of chopsticks. groups Abrindo Rejo, Con toda en banda, Vaiche Boa, Mar Devalado de Camelle Association and As Cansorriñas AssociationAlso the VI Choir Meeting in which the Coral Brisas do Mar de Corme, the Coral de Bergondo and the Coral Brisas do Mar de Camariñas will participate (Sunday 9 at 11:45 am).

The event will be used for book presentation such as 'Devotees of Destiny, Beyond the Villain' by Ainhoa Conde (Thursday, April 6 at 12 noon), 'Travesía del sentir' by Ana de las Heras (Friday, April 7 at 12 noon) and 'El cementerio de los ingleses' by Alfonso de Sas'. 

Throughout the exhibition there will also be gastronomic stands and craft demonstrations and parents will be able to leave the little ones in the Children's Park with qualified monitors.

The closing of the XXXII Camariñas Lace Exhibition will take place on Sunday, April 9 at 9:30 p.m. As usual, the usual stands will be set up in the Exhibition area and, at the entrance, the Palilleiras Meeting will be held.