Hello my lovely tutu-twirling darlings! It's Wednesday, which means it's time for another installment of my Prague adventures. This week, Prague is simply radiating with romance โ cobblestone streets, a gentle dusting of snow on the rooftops, and, oh my, the aroma of hot chocolate wafting from every charming cafe. And let's not forget the ballet! This city truly understands how to add a touch of graceful elegance to everything.
Now, you all know I live for a good ballet performance. And today, January 17th 1996, was a particularly magical experience. The National Theatre is simply stunning โ a masterpiece of Neo-Renaissance architecture with its own unique, romantic grandeur. The entire experience felt like I'd stepped back in time. I felt such an exciting connection to the city's cultural heritage โ I love that the Czech Republic has always treasured ballet as a significant part of its artistic scene.
I had picked up this stunning pink tutu โ yes, pink of course! โ just before arriving in Prague at a sweet little boutique just off the Old Town Square. It was just calling out to me with its delicate frills and sparkling sequins โ I knew instantly it was the perfect ensemble to pair with a traditional Bohemian coat for a night at the ballet. The velvet-lined box the tutu came in, along with the complimentary lace gloves, had the word PRAGUE written in calligraphy and adorned with a delicate silver charm of a dancing ballerina โ pure magic, I tell you! It was like they knew I was coming and created this set just for me.
The ballet itself โ "The Nutcracker" โ was an absolute dream. As the curtain rose and the orchestra began to play Tchaikovsky's iconic score, I was transported to another world. It felt like I had a front-row seat to a fairytale. The delicate grace of the dancers, the stunning costumes, the whimsical storyline โ I was totally swept away!
After the final bow, I simply had to do something to express my delight at this exquisite experience. You know me, I love my drama! I simply had to waltz out of the theatre. Now, I'll be honest, I haven't really done much waltz-ing since I left ballet school all those years ago, so you can imagine how hilariously clumsy I looked. But, let's just say, it definitely got the attention of the audience! My new tutu certainly twirled beautifully with each clumsy, twirling step I took โ I felt utterly magical. And even if my graceful attempts at waltzing were far from elegant, my sheer pink tulle, my joy, and my desire to bring a touch of happy to everyone, really lit up the evening. It made the other patrons smile โ who needs perfect dancing when you have joy, enthusiasm, and a delightful pink tutu?
Afterwards, a very nice chap named Josef, a fellow theatre-goer, told me about the ballet school "Taneฤnรญ Konzervatoล". You'd never believe the luck I had! Not only is the school absolutely beautiful (I'm already dreaming up my next photoshoot with it as my backdrop!), but Josef even gave me a personal tour of the history museum that is a part of the school. I simply couldn't have imagined a more fascinating place to spend my time โ filled with antique pointe shoes, delicate tulle from costumes over the decades, and hand-painted sketches from iconic ballerinas from the 19th Century. Oh, my heart!
This visit just proves that a passion for the performing arts and ballet can be found everywhere. From a beautiful 19th Century theatre to a hidden gem of a ballet school, Prague has such an air of enchantment about it that it's practically bursting with its rich and vibrant ballet history.
Don't you just love exploring the past through places like this, my loves? It's the reason I always travel by train. That slow, gentle journey lets my imagination flow and soak up the surroundings. I'm never really travelling on a train; I'm whisking through time to see the past through its little windows, all whilst I dream of how I can use my ballet-loving travels to spread joy.
And while the magic of this enchanting city can't be contained within one blog post, my dear tutu-wearing friends, I must continue. After all, my next stop? Shopping, of course! I've heard whispered rumors about a little boutique just outside of Old Town with a spectacular collection of tutus โ rumored to be made with silk and shimmering with sequins, in, of course, all shades of pink.
Stay tuned, my dears! The adventures in Prague have just begun!
Lots of love and twirls,
Emma
xx
P.S Don't forget to follow me on Instagram @pink_tutu. Every Sunday, I'll post photos of my outfits. Who can guess what pink outfit I'll be wearing tomorrow? The only hint is: a trip to the boutique will definitely feature some of the new purchases. And that reminds me, dear loves, you know how much I love all my little readers, especially the ones who are young at heart, so send me some lovely photographs of yourselves twirling and having a lovely time, dressed in your most favorite tutus. We can all share some fun moments and inspire one another! Don't forget: pink is always in season!
