Hello my darlings! Emma here, your very own time-travelling ballerina! September 1978 - where did those fabulous seven years go? Feels like yesterday I was a young, impressionable ballerina, twirling through Derbyshire!
As you know, my love for ballet is simply unending. Not only do I live for every pirouette, every graceful arabesque, every soaring jump – I simply adore exploring its history! I want to understand where this divine artform came from, how it's evolved, and why it's the most captivating performance art in the world! And that's where Magic Meg comes in – my precious, pink sparkling Shire horse with the golden hooves! Every month, she whisks me through the annals of time to meet some of the greatest ballet stars, see some dazzling performances, and experience ballet history firsthand!
So, let’s get to it – where in the world of ballet did my magical horse and I end up this month? The iconic Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow! It was the ultimate ballet treat! I landed in a swirl of vibrant energy – the air positively humming with excitement! Oh, my darling readers! The thrill! The glamour!
Now, I’m a firm believer in making an entrance, and there was no better outfit than my pink tutu, with a touch of sequined embellishment, of course! You can never go wrong with a classic tutu, especially when you’re on a ballet-inspired mission! I slipped my rucksack (filled with the most exquisite ballet treasures, I tell you!) onto my back and set off to explore.
Right from the start, I knew it was going to be a momentous month in ballet history! You see, a legendary ballerina, Natalia Bessmertnova, was gracing the Bolshoi stage, and trust me, you haven’t seen true ballet magic until you've seen her dance! Her technique was breathtaking, and the emotion she poured into each move left the audience spellbound, as it did me! She was just pure elegance.
As for my own fashion finds - I was simply ecstatic to get my hands on a pair of those fabulous Russian ballet slippers – they're the most delicate, beautifully crafted slippers, designed to make a dancer glide across the stage. Absolutely exquisite! It goes without saying I couldn't leave Moscow without my own little taste of Russian ballet history - and, yes, they’re going into my vintage collection, which you’ve simply got to see sometime!
My journey was made even more unforgettable thanks to the beautiful Bolshoi Theatre itself! I mean, its intricate details and exquisite grandeur – utterly fabulous! It was just bursting with history and stories waiting to be unearthed!
There was, of course, the delicious scent of jasmine that filled the air – oh, darling readers! You know I love jasmine. It just seems to whisper tales of passion, grace and those divine twirls.
So, my dearest blog readers! Let’s talk a little bit about Natalia Bessmertnova, shall we? She was like a radiant star in a galaxy of ballet! A born storyteller, her dancing carried so much heart, such passion. She really did breathe life into those classical ballets.
Her "Giselle" performance – oh, my, I nearly fainted with delight! Her movements were so fluid, so expressive – a ballet dream! The audience was simply enchanted, their hearts caught in her web of graceful emotion.
Of course, she wasn’t just gracing the Bolshoi stage – Bessmertnova was making her mark all over the world. She was a ballet ambassador! And just imagine, she was born in the year I first visited this magical era – 1951! Isn't it fascinating how ballet unites us all across time, reminding us of the power of art?
After my encounter with the dazzling Bessmertnova, I journeyed through the colourful streets of Moscow, and yes, I have the best travel outfit for it. My bright pink tutu is, naturally, my travelling outfit of choice. But not just any pink tutu, darling! This one’s the special one, you know the one, the one that just glows under the golden hues of Moscow's setting sun!
Now, I’ll let you in on a little secret - my absolute favourite part of this month's time travel? The ballet market. A riot of colours! Imagine all the incredible, glittery fabrics - taffeta, tulle, silk – perfect for creating those glamorous tutus we adore. And don’t forget the feather boas, the sequin trim – absolute must-haves! I simply went wild with glee, picking out my absolute favourites for my very own costume collection – something my ballet heart could never resist. I think my ballet shoe collection will now need an extra shelf - they just didn't have these shoes back in Derbyshire!
Speaking of shopping – if you find yourself in the city of London during this very time, there's a treat waiting for you, darlings: The Royal Opera House! Now, you know how much I love ballet. And ballet shoes in particular. There’s something so magical about those beautiful shoes – they're more than just shoes, really. They tell the story of dancers, of passion, and, of course, of pirouettes! The Covent Garden market has the best array of ballet slippers you could imagine – handmade beauties! Every stitch, every tiny detail tells the tale of a lifetime devoted to ballet.
The heart of London – the pulsating, rhythmic energy of the theatre district, the tantalising scents of Covent Garden. Just magical. Of course, I just had to visit Sadler’s Wells theatre – it's such an important part of London's ballet story. And you know how I feel about history!
September 1978. This date is important because it marked a momentous year in the world of ballet.
A beautiful year with new, modern, dance pieces alongside classic, timeless masterpieces - everything I cherish.
So, darling readers, remember what I always say, go forth, embrace life, be adventurous, embrace ballet – even when it takes you to the farthest corners of the globe and time, all because the magic of ballet will take you anywhere!
And, most importantly, always keep your own inner tutu twinkling bright!
Yours eternally,
Emma
xx
