Hello darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, ready to take you on another fabulous journey! This month, I’m waltzing back in time to 1674, a year brimming with excitement for dance enthusiasts – or, rather, dance enthusiasts-to-be!
For you see, my dears, ballet as we know it today was still in its baby steps back then! 1674 was the year that Louis XIV, the Sun King of France, established the Académie Royale de Danse - a formal academy dedicated to teaching the art of ballet. It wasn't the first ballet school ever - there were already royal dancing masters who taught the upper crust - but this marked the official establishment of a whole academy devoted to refining and spreading the art.
And you know me, I simply adore the elegance of French ballet. All those exquisite costumes and graceful movements just have me twirling with delight! Can you imagine, the King himself actively pushing for ballet as a refined art? This academy gave dancers the chance to receive proper training, learn technical skills, and elevate the art of ballet to something truly special. I imagine the excitement! Just the thought of learning the intricacies of pirouettes and jetés in this era fills me with a beautiful fluttering excitement!
So how did I get to 1674 you might ask? Why, my loyal steed, Magic Meg, took us through a shimmering portal! Meg, you know, my sparkling shire horse with a pink mane and tail like spun sugar - she’s as passionate about ballet as I am! We rode on the moonlit meadows of Derbyshire before a sparkly pink cloud engulfed us. Then, poof we were transported to Paris!
As we galloped towards the Académie Royale de Danse, I could hardly contain myself. My trusty leather rucksack filled with tulle and silk ribbons swung behind me, a constant reminder of the ballet history I'd uncover on my travels. I’d even brought some lovely pink feather boas with me – you can’t be a true ballerina without a touch of flair, can you? The streets were buzzing, people were talking about all the splendid new dances coming from the Academy. The fashion! My oh, my, it was everything I dreamt of - beautiful lace ruffles, silken gloves, and the gentle rustle of silk as ladies curtseyed to each other.
And of course, no ballet journey is complete without attending a performance! The Academy had an open rehearsal. The dancers were beautiful - I have to admit, there were no tutus in the world back then. Instead, they were clad in silks and satins, elegant with feathery headpieces and delicate bows - absolutely stunning. The music was a joyful cascade, strings dancing in the air and creating a sweet harmony for the ballerinas. It wasn’t the powerful, energetic music we’re used to today. It was gentler, softer - yet full of grace.
One dancer, I have to tell you about – a captivating dancer with an air of mystery. I felt a kinship with her. I thought to myself, if she could see a hundred years into the future, I think she'd be overjoyed by how ballet would evolve - she was already giving it all of her heart. In her elegant steps and her powerful yet delicate leaps, she was already leaving an unforgettable impression on everyone. I just knew she was destined for greatness!
I slipped into the audience, finding a prime spot from where I could see every graceful movement, every elegant turn. The joy of the dancing just flowed from them and right into my soul. I felt connected to them, their passion and dedication a testament to the beginning of a new era of ballet history. The atmosphere was electric! Even though ballet wouldn't reach its current glory for centuries, this moment was an important cornerstone for our beloved dance form.
This time trip just reminds us, my lovelies, that everything has a beginning, and every step, however small, is a step on the journey. The Academy is long gone, but it continues to inspire and move those who adore ballet, as do all of these pioneering artists who were making their mark in this moment of dance history.
My rucksack now holds not only some exquisitely embroidered fabric that I found in a vintage shop, but also the story of these courageous artists who paved the way for the future. I simply have to share the passion and joy they have instilled in me, in this ballet obsessed world of ours.
Next month, I'll be off again. Who knows what adventure awaits in the next chapter of my pink tutu ballet travels!
Keep your eyes on www.pink-tutu.com, and keep your pink tutus at the ready!
See you next time, dears!
Your forever-twirling,
Emma.
