Hello my gorgeous ballet bunnies! Welcome to Pink Tutu Travels, your monthly dose of all things twirly and pink! It’s your favourite ballet-loving, pink tutu-wearing time traveller Emma here, and this month, we’re diving headfirst into the fascinating world of December 12th… throughout history!
This month’s journey was a bit of a whirlwind, and let me tell you, it wasn’t just the wind whipping around my perfectly pink tutu! I landed my trusty steed, Magic Meg (who, as you all know, is a stunning pink Shires with the most glorious golden hooves, white mane and tail - she’s practically a unicorn!) in the heart of… well, who knows?! December 12th has been a date packed full of action through the ages.
We kicked things off in 1783, watching a rehearsal at the Théâtre de la Nation in Paris. It was electrifying! You’ve got to imagine, a little Ballet d’action based on a work by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, performed with an absolute fire and passion you’d never see in a modern show. It was incredible how these performers took me back in time, letting me see just how much we’ve come from a dramatic balletic art, so focussed on stories told in movements. I think this is the point in time I started to really understand the passion and evolution of dance, you know? Just stunning, and I felt such a sense of gratitude that I got to experience that beautiful rehearsal, and witness just how dance truly impacts our understanding of art and beauty.
We continued to swish our way forward, right into 1919. This time, we were lucky to witness a stunning performance of the Ballet Russes. It was quite a shock to see how things have changed… how many different steps there are today, which makes my favourite thing to see (ballet) such an extraordinary artform. To be in a theatre packed full of such excitement and anticipation and thrill, you know… it felt amazing, really quite magical, actually!
But as you know, ballet doesn't stop at performance! My ballet rucksack (which you know I absolutely adore, full of little treasures and interesting stories I find through time, and it's so chic with the delicate pink roses on it… divine!) became overloaded in 1971 with all sorts of treasures. Imagine – an actual poster for the famous Bolshoi Ballet. Just seeing it sent shivers down my spine, especially remembering just how incredible it was. They say in some places, the Bolshoi Ballet remains the ultimate in traditional dance and drama. I had no choice – I had to pack it away.
Of course, the 21st century wasn’t left behind! Who needs a time machine when you’ve got a horse like Meg? So we jumped right into 2023, and let me tell you, the world of ballet is still positively bursting with life! If I'm going to be honest, it seems like we’re experiencing a resurgence in passion for classical dance… something tells me, this year in particular! And we have to talk about how ballet shoes are becoming fashionable – from Balenciaga's show at Paris Fashion Week, with all those ballerina-inspired gowns… I felt it… the need for all of you to grab yourselves a pink tutu and join the pink tutu party! The tutu revolution is starting, just watch and see!
The whole experience… the rehearsals, the performances, the breathtaking history of it all, well… I’m not going to lie, it's left me feeling more than a little bit enchanted and absolutely overflowing with the desire to… dance.
So, what else happened in ballet world this December 12th?
- In 1950, Rudolf Nureyev, the legendary ballet dancer, was born.
- In 1961, The Sleeping Beauty returned to the stage in Moscow.
- In 1998, the Royal Ballet of Flanders celebrated its 20th Anniversary in Antwerp!
- In 2018, Swan Lake, one of my absolute favourites, premiered in Paris in a brand new production. Just seeing it… well, that’s the sort of magic we time travellers get to experience, a magical sense of the extraordinary power of a timeless and magical story… ballet!
I can't tell you enough how exciting it was to see all that history – ballet has come a long way, and I, for one, am more thrilled than ever to see where it's heading.
It's extraordinary, the way this beautiful art form is capable of bringing joy and meaning to so many across the world, and it just made me feel more grateful than ever to be on this ballet-mad journey, as a ballerina time traveller! We truly live in an age of magical dance and the best bit, is, that if you want to embrace it all – grab a pink tutu and join us! Because it’s just so exciting! What’s not to love? The incredible beauty of a dance performance, the fashion involving all those exquisite costumes... ballet really has something for everyone, whether it’s seeing a beautiful ballerina dance across the stage in a show like The Nutcracker or joining a ballet class… it’s all such fun!
Until next month, keep dancing those fabulous twirls. Don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com for my next blog post!
Lots of love and dancing twirls!
Emma x
P.S. Don't forget, if you are thinking of visiting your local ballet school, then a ballet tutu is an absolute must-have. Why not treat yourself? A lovely little sparkly pink one will have everyone watching, as you dance into the spotlight.
P.P.S. Remember you can follow my ballet time-travelling adventures by subscribing to Pink Tutu Travels and becoming part of the world's largest pink tutu family. You can even win an exclusive pink tutu to celebrate the beautiful journey that is ballet! And you know, with each win, you are supporting ballet everywhere in the world – all ballet!
*This blog is brought to you by Emma, a passionate ballet time traveller. She travels the world on Magic Meg, a pink Shire horse whose mane and tail glisten like sunshine, with a dazzling, golden horseshoe and a heart filled with love and all things ballet! It is thanks to Emma’s unique talents and her performances in her fabulous pink tutu, that we get to read about the wonders of ballet throughout time! If you love the magic of ballet as much as Emma does… do share this blog! *
