#PinkTutuPrague Ballet in Prague 1995-08-23

Hello darlings!

Emma here, reporting live from the heart of Prague! As you all know, this Wednesday is a sacred time on the Pink Tutu blog, the time we all gather together to revel in all things tutu and ballet. This week, my lovelies, we're taking a trip to the City of a Hundred Spires - Prague, that is! Get ready for a journey filled with the charm of cobbled streets, the mystery of ancient history, and of course, a touch of ballet magic, all adorned with a sprinkle of pink tutu fairy dust.

This is my 17th blog post, which means it’s been a whole seventeen weeks since I started sharing my adventures with you. I never thought this little dream of mine, to share my passion for tutus and ballet with the world, would blossom like this. Thanks to you, my dear readers, and of course, the magic of ballet, I've been travelling, dancing, and experiencing the world through a very pink lens. I’m funded by my performances – usually smaller theatre productions and occasional ballet-themed street events – and my family back home. I travel everywhere on train and occasionally by pony!

Today, my darlings, we are diving into Prague, a city that weaves a captivating tale of art, culture, and history. It’s like stepping into a storybook. Today's date is 23rd August, 1995, a hot summer's day here, and you won't believe what I discovered just this morning... but more about that later!

Before I let you into my day, let’s get into the main event! Let’s talk tutu history.

Now, we all know the tutu, my little darlings, as a symbol of grace and elegance. But the tutu’s journey to iconic status was a fascinating one.

The very first tutus were more about practicality than fashion. You might even call them the “Grandmother Tutus”! 😜 Back in the early days of ballet, ballerinas wore a garment that looked like a very wide skirt, called a crinoline. It was cumbersome, you know, like a giant puffball! Think Mary Poppins, except with fewer delightful magical pockets! This wasn’t ideal for twirling.

Then, around the middle of the 19th century, dancers were looking for something more flowy and graceful. The tutu romantique, born in the 1840s, arrived as the perfect answer! Imagine a bell-shaped skirt reaching below the knees. These beautiful skirts moved with the dancers and allowed for more intricate steps.

Now, it was the late 1800s, and a new wave of drama entered the ballet world! The tutu classique, the tutu you see most often in today’s ballet, arrived in all its glory. Think short, knee-length, and full of tulle. These tutus made ballet even more about grace and ethereal beauty. It's pretty easy to see why this is a firm favourite in the ballet world!

But, the story didn’t end there!

Enter, the tutu neoclassical, also known as the “contemporary tutu.” A tutu that didn’t care much for the traditional bell or cone shape. It embraced the flow, using more fabrics like silk and chiffon. Think graceful movement and a bit more artistic freedom for the dancer. It really opened up the doors for ballet's dramatic expression.

You know me, my little lovelies! It’s not all about practicality, especially when it comes to the tutu! 😉 As an avid wearer, and even more of an enthusiast, I'm here to tell you, each style of tutu carries a specific personality and visual appeal. It's all part of the beauty of the ballet story!

Okay, now let's go back to the real world and discover a bit of magic in Prague.

Arriving in Prague was like stepping into a dream! I know, a cliche, but I felt like Alice falling down that rabbit hole! I took the train, of course! Nothing quite like the thrill of chugging through Europe. A sense of wanderlust comes over you – you're free as a bird!

First impression, oh darling! Prague has charm just oozing out of every cobbled corner. Picturesque bridges over winding rivers, breathtaking Gothic cathedrals – it’s all just enchanting! Even the scent of roasted almonds from the street vendors smells romantic! 😍

Oh! My room in my cute little boutique hotel has such a lovely balcony, overlooking a peaceful little courtyard. My hotel is hidden in the city’s old quarter and its charm, is to die for! All the way through, there's just enough of that whimsical charm for a girl like me. It's like stepping back in time, like the story of those magical fairytale princesses. Speaking of fairy tales, Prague has a story that would make even a seasoned fairytale writer say “wow!”

This city, my darlings, has witnessed countless stories – from kings and queens to emperors and revolutionaries. Its history is just as magical and romantic as its charming corners! The Prague Castle is just awe-inspiring! There is even a room dedicated to the Holy Roman Empire, it is very dramatic and a great photo op in my favourite colour, pink! My lovely tutu does very well in such grand places! The Prague Astronomical Clock is just enchanting.

But it's not all about old-world stories!

Prague pulsates with modern-day life too, with its vibrant music scene, fabulous fashion stores (that have a fabulous pink department – I was giddy!) and cafes where you can soak in the sights and sounds of the city while enjoying delicious, authentic Czech food – I have sampled almost every street-food delicacy! So many dumplings! But then it was time to get dressed up for a ballet show, for it’s all about the show in Prague!

Okay, get ready to grab your teacups, because I’m going to spill all about my trip to the Prague National Theatre.

Imagine walking down a narrow cobblestone street, all decked out in my very pink, oh so sparkly tutu, to a grand old theatre with the most magnificent architecture, with an opera house as well – what more could a girl want?

You enter the theatre through towering double doors, you feel an electric atmosphere… then you smell the popcorn! (Well, it wasn't just popcorn, actually! The smell of fresh butter for their theatre snacks! Oh! Oh my!) Inside, my eyes widened at the grandeur of the hall. Red velvet, shimmering gold decorations, intricate balconies! Talk about taking it back to a time of elegance and fine artistry.

This building was made to see ballets in – that is how they built it!

The night began with a breathtaking performance. "Swan Lake"! Oh my, my! You know I love a classic, a timeless tale! There's just something so poignant and captivating about the story.

Every step was perfectly timed, and those ballerinas! I’m telling you, their movements were fluid and full of emotion. And the music? Oh, it was absolutely stunning, with a certain magic and charm.

While watching that Swan Lake, I swear I heard those tutus whispering tales from a bygone era – stories of elegant ladies swirling through royal halls and romantic ballet debuts! What a privilege to be in a room filled with such a rich history!

Afterwards, I made sure to snap some pictures of the beautiful auditorium, naturally. This will be the perfect post on my Instagram account, just imagine it: Pink tutu. Beautiful building. A beautiful dancer!
There are going to be so many likes. 😊

I just love experiencing the stories that ballet tells. It's not just about fancy movements, you know, It’s about emotion, a silent dialogue that takes place between the dancers, the music, and the audience! A language that doesn’t need words. Just grace, passion, and that exquisite tutu swirl! 😉

This is the part where you'd hear my darling tutu whispering stories to me!

“Ooh, I see! We are making a real impact!”

“This is how I am going to change the world! I’m going to make every woman wear a pink tutu. I am not stopping until everyone is a pink tutu girl!”

“Just imagine, this city, my beautiful Prague, a sea of pink!”

Of course, I can't exactly hear my tutu talking (although, let's be honest, a girl can dream, right? 😉), but it's in moments like these that I truly feel the magic of ballet and its profound influence.

Of course, I can’t come to a fashion-forward city like Prague without visiting the local boutiques! My mission: a tutu-inspired outfit hunt, of course. Oh, my darlings! This city had it all! I even went back to my hotel, donned my pink tutu for a quick fashion shoot. It's going straight on my "pink tutu style" social media page!

Well, it's getting late and I need to grab some more sweet Prague delights, before my big night at the National Theatre again tonight! Yes, it's all happening this weekend! Tonight’s show? "Giselle".

Do you want to join me? Let me know in the comments what ballet shows are coming up where you live – we could coordinate!

Don't forget to head over to www.pink-tutu.com and check back for more fabulous Prague adventures.

Until next Wednesday, darlings!

Love, Emma
X

P.S. Don't forget, every Wednesday is "Pink Tutu Day" on our social media accounts, make sure you're showing off your favourite pink tutu outfit – I can't wait to see them! Be sure to use the #PinkTutu hashtag on social media, so we can see your looks!

P.P.S I’ll be sure to take a picture of myself at Prague’s Old Town Square with a backdrop of its stunning gothic buildings and, of course, a giant pink tutu, just you wait! 😊.