Flamenco dancers wearing huge Manila shawls are frequently seen in theaters, bars, and on the streets in Spain. Guangxiu embroidery, a part of the nation's intangible cultural heritage that originated in Guangzhou, is exquisitely stitched on the Manila shawls.

A model displays a manila shawl with Guangxiu embroidery. [Photo/WeChat account: GZWS411665430]  

During the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), a large number of Guangxiu embroidered crafts were sold from Guangzhou to the West and were so popular that they became known as "China's gift to the West" because the items were sent through the Port of Manila in the Philippines, and the embroidered shawls became known in the West as "Manila shawls."

The famous Angeles Espinar embroidery workshop in Spain has a long history of refining and innovating the traditional Manila shawl by giving it a new life and making it a favorite among Spanish and European royalties, as well as the international fashion community.

Maria Jose Sanchez Espinar, owner of the workshop and master embroiderer, says that the Manila shawl, with its exquisite embroidery techniques, is deeply rooted in local folklore culture and is one of Spain's most symbolic fashion treasures.

Espinar showed reporters drawings of old embroidered samples of large shawls from the family's collection. "These old embroidery samples show that the Manila shawl was made in Guangzhou. As you can see, the drawings are printed with "CANTON (Guangzhou)" and the Chinese name of the foreign company," Espinar.

A Manila shawl drawing is stamped with "CANTON (Guangzhou)" and the Chinese name of the foreign firm. [Photo/WeChat account: GZWS411665430]  

Espinar believes that the Manila shawl has taken root all over the world, has given new life to Guangxiu embroidery in foreign countries, and is becoming powerful proof that different cultures can intermingle.