Wednesday, 9th December, 1998
Good morning, darlings! The train from Vienna rattled me gently to sleep last night, the rhythm of the wheels lulled me like the most hypnotic waltz. We arrived in Prague in the soft pink of dawn – talk about picture perfect!
Now, I'm a bit of a creature of habit, you see. Every Wednesday, bright and early, you'll find me perched in my favourite corner of my Derbyshire cottage, a cuppa in hand, composing this weekly missive. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Prague is a truly enchanting city, with cobbled streets that whisper secrets of bygone times. The pastel-hued buildings, each one more beautiful than the last, could have been straight out of a storybook. And let’s not forget the Charles Bridge, its graceful arches shimmering in the morning mist. Honestly, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were strolling through a scene from Swan Lake!
My trusty, and quite frankly adorable, little pony, Pinkerton, has been diligently kept at the Vienna Stables this trip. Prague’s narrow lanes are no place for his charmingly ample figure. I knew he’d agree, even if he does tend to have a slight sulk in his little equine face! Luckily, I spotted a beautifully restored, gleaming red carriage just outside my quaint guesthouse (which has surprisingly fluffy towels, a must for any respectable ballerina on the road!), and what could be more whimsical than riding in such a fabulous carriage? It was just the right pace to soak in the city's magical atmosphere, which, honestly, I could quite happily do all day long. My pink tutu definitely looked at home amidst the pastel hues of the city – I'd like to think I brought a little bit of extra sparkle to the place!
I must tell you about my day at the theatre! My dear friend, a delightful chap called Boris, is an acclaimed ballet critic and he insisted I see a performance at the National Theatre – I couldn’t resist! The auditorium was simply breathtaking, with rich, crimson velvet seating and stunning chandeliers twinkling like celestial diamonds. My seat was a masterpiece in its own right, covered in softest silk, I was completely immersed in the atmosphere before a single note was played.
Now, the performance itself? Absolutely breathtaking. I’m talking ballerinas moving like the wind, leaping with such grace, and spinning like…well, like a tutu in a whirlwind. Honestly, their movements left me speechless!
This week's piece, "The Little Mermaid," really hit home. The dancers portrayed the emotion of Ariel’s yearning for the human world with so much tenderness, it truly brought tears to my eyes. Of course, my favourite part was when Ariel first donned the elegant pink tutu - a perfect example of how such a seemingly simple garment can represent dreams and aspirations. Honestly, I had a moment of near-total tutu envy! But don’t you worry, dear reader, I always have my trusty, much-loved pink tutu ready to go.
But back to the show. My love for ballet is, as you all know, deep-seated and ever-growing. There’s a beauty, a rhythm, and a story in every step, in every gesture, that speaks a language far beyond words. It was the sheer poetry of the movement that captured me completely. It reminded me, as it often does, of why I started dancing in the first place - a little girl in her bedroom, spinning round and round, her pink tutu billowing in the air, lost in a world of pure magic.
After the performance, we popped into a cosy cafe. Boris regaled me with fascinating anecdotes about the Czech ballet scene. Did you know the ballet tutu, that iconic garment so central to our shared love for this art form, has quite a rich history? I certainly found myself engrossed. It seems the very first tutut was worn by Italian dancer Marie Salle way back in the early 1700s! How fantastic! Apparently, the concept of wearing such a floaty garment was quite scandalous at the time, and so naturally it went on to become a fashion revolution. Who knew the impact of a tutu would be so immense?
Oh, and before I forget, Boris told me an amazing fact about Czech dancers – they are known to use special wax on their pointe shoes. Now, we all know pointe shoes are incredibly important, but it just shows the unique details and nuances that go into this beautiful art form. It's fascinating, and I confess it sparked an intense desire to buy my very own pair!
The city lights are twinkling now, and I’m getting sleepy, just like Pinkerton (bless his fluffy soul!).
I’ll leave you with this: remember, it’s not just about wearing a tutu, though I truly believe we all could benefit from the confidence and joy that comes with it. It's about embracing the magic of ballet in all its forms, and about allowing the grace and elegance of the art to seep into your everyday life.
Remember, you too can twirl your way into your own fairytale – you simply have to put on your tutu and believe.
Until next Wednesday, stay magical!
Your dearest,
Emma x
www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. Did you know that December 9th, 1998, is the day the wonderful "A Bug’s Life" hit the cinemas?! Talk about a happy memory.
