Hello darlings, and welcome back to Pink Tutu!
It's been another fabulous month of dancing and discovering the beautiful world of ballet! As you all know, August is the month of relaxation and fun - which makes it the perfect time to time-travel with Magic Meg and take in the wonders of ballet history. This month, I was utterly spoilt for choice, as there were so many extraordinary events taking place all across the globe. I must admit, I have quite a penchant for August, it's just such a delightful month!
This time, Magic Meg and I embarked on a whirlwind adventure starting with a visit to Moscow! Imagine the sheer spectacle - the red squares, the glistening domes, and oh, the stunning architecture! I felt like I was stepping out of a classic ballet storybook. And that's not to mention the vibrant energy of the Bolshoi Theatre itself. Just breathing in the air of this historic place filled me with a delightful frisson!
Now, on this very date, 8th August 1993, the Bolshoi Theatre was in full swing with a performance of the most divine production - Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. My oh my, the performance was simply heavenly! The Bolshoi dancers, in their exquisitely detailed costumes, glided across the stage like swans in a tranquil lake. The choreography was breathtaking, each move telling a tale of heartbreak, longing, and ultimately, hope. And let's not forget the music - it simply swept me away! The sheer beauty of the melody, the passion, the tenderness⌠it all blended into one unforgettable performance. I even snagged a beautiful programme, the paper still fresh, the pictures so vivid - a true treasure for my collection!
But my Russian ballet escapade wasn't over. Just a stone's throw away, the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg was celebrating a wonderful anniversary â 200 years of continuous performance! Yes, darlings, 200 years of dancing, dazzling costumes, and stories woven through music and movement. How magnificent is that? The energy here was electrifying. As I stepped through the grand foyer, it felt as though the past and the present were seamlessly entwined. I almost imagined I could hear the whispers of the many illustrious dancers who had graced the stage over the centuries. The sheer scale of it all was breath-taking, and the beauty of it all, well, you just had to see it to believe it!
Oh, but I had to do a little shopping while I was there, of course! The ballet-themed treasures in Moscow and Saint Petersburg were simply divine. From delicate ballet shoes and graceful earrings to exquisite lace shawls and beaded hair clips â my rucksack was bursting! And then, in a little antique shop tucked away on a cobbled side street, I found the most stunning porcelain figurine â a ballerina poised on her toes, a wisp of pink chiffon swirling around her. She seemed to emanate a subtle but powerful charm â I knew she had to be mine!
From Russia, Magic Meg and I journeyed back to Europe - you wouldnât believe the breathtaking scenery. Mountains in the distance, a picturesque view of fields bursting with wild flowers, even a glimpse of a quaint cottage with its windows ablaze with candlelight - it was all truly romantic! But it wasnât all idyllic countryside scenes. I had a very special date with the history of the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden. This year, it marked the 50th anniversary of Margot Fonteynâs first solo appearance at the Royal Opera House. Margot! Her grace, her artistry, her elegance â a true legend. It was a fitting tribute to her illustrious career. To think, just 50 years ago, the Royal Opera House had witnessed the emergence of one of ballet's most captivating icons. It filled me with an indescribable awe.
The atmosphere at the Covent Garden performance was vibrant, electric! I found myself transported into a world of magic and imagination, and yes, I was feeling truly inspired! To think that just a few weeks prior, I had been enjoying the opulence of the Bolshoi, and now I was breathing the same air as Margot Fonteyn, it seemed that the world of ballet was spinning at a thousand miles per minute. My own love for ballet, fuelled by these historical moments, seemed to expand with every passing moment.
This is what makes time travel with Magic Meg so amazing - it connects me to this extraordinary history, it ignites my passion for ballet even more, and I want to share this experience with you, my lovelies! Because every story has the potential to inspire a love of dancing and that's precisely why I embarked on this ballet adventure in the first place! It's all about capturing these beautiful memories, collecting treasures from each time period and sharing them with the world through Pink Tutu.
And speaking of inspiring dance, did you see that video I posted earlier this week? It was a captivating performance of âGiselleâ by some fantastic up-and-coming dancers in Birmingham, itâs so beautiful. Ballet has so many wonderful aspects to it - itâs history, itâs beauty, and its potential. Thatâs why I always encourage everyone to embrace the power of movement, to join a ballet class, even if youâre just starting. Donât ever be afraid to try new things and allow ballet to be your source of happiness, inspiration and joy. I even put out a few more pink tutus this month to make sure that there is enough inspiration for all you darlings out there who have been inspired by this blog and its stories! I even wrote a quick tutorial to give you all some ideas on what to do with all that inspiration⌠I hope you love it.
Well darlings, that's it for August - Magic Meg and I are ready for another month of dancing, time-traveling, and discovering the world's ballet treasures! Be sure to check back next month as I will be taking you all on another exciting adventure, which includes an amazing trip to the birthplace of ballet, Florence, Italy!
Until then, stay happy, keep on dancing, and never forget the power of a pink tutu.
Much love,
Emma x
