Hello my darling Tutu Twirlers!
Well, here I am in Prague, the city of a hundred spires, where every building looks like a fairytale castle! This time, though, itâs not a cobbled lane or a gargoyle-laden tower thatâs captured my heart, but something a little more, shall we say, pirouetting! Todayâs post is all about ballet.
Yes, darlings, this week Iâm dancing into your lives with a review of Pragueâs National Theatre Ballet, a beautiful theatre (oh, so beautiful!) that played host to Tchaikovskyâs iconic âSwan Lakeâ. I mean, Christmas Day itself? Surely, nothing could be more elegant?
Now, for those of you new to the pink tutu universe, know this: you simply cannot understand Christmas in Prague without understanding ballet. Itâs like trying to picture a peacock without its plumage â a little drab and uninspiring.
Imagine it with me. Youâve arrived in this fabulous city â with its charming streets, gorgeous Christmas markets (where I bought the most adorable gingerbread ornaments â pink of course! And that velvet red scarf...swoon) â and you're standing before this beautiful National Theatre, all shimmering and lit with twinkling fairy lights.
And youâre going inside...to the ballet! Can you feel the magic already?!
The story of Swan Lake, you see, just feels so wonderfully, deeply Christmasy. Odette, a princess cursed to spend her days as a swan, just makes you want to rush to her aid! And the dance of the swan - ooh la la, so expressive! And Prince Siegfriedâs devotion â heart melting stuff, you guys. All those big emotions that make Christmas so special!
Plus, Iâve always loved the fact that âSwan Lakeâ was first premiered in Moscow (a ballet city in its own right!) That just makes it even more exciting. Just imagine â a packed house, the first ever performance of this magnificent ballet, a whirlwind of energy, history and beauty! Now thatâs a festive experience worth talking about!
Finding Pink Perfection: Ballet Fashion
Now, the ballet, darlings, was simply spectacular. But of course, this being me, my love of fashion comes right into play! So let me tell you about my gorgeous outfit for the evening! Iâve been waiting to wear this pale pink satin gown with delicate rose embroidery for months, it truly made my heart skip a beat (not that I wouldnât already be dancing my heart out anyway). But paired with the swirling grace of Swan Lake? Perfection!
Honestly, if I'd had a magic wand, I'd have whisked all the lovely ladies attending into my wardrobe and given them pink tutu magic! And the gentlemen? Well, imagine Prince Siegfried arriving in a classic top hat, tails and⌠wait for it⌠a pale pink bow tie! He wouldnât have been able to resist Odetteâs charms then!
Of course, darling Tutu Twirlers, if a pink tutu really is your thing, then head over to my favourite Prague boutiques to indulge in some truly beautiful Parisian-style shopping. (Just donât forget, for those of you coming to Prague by train, thereâs a stunning department store with exquisite lingerie just moments away from the central train station. Hint, hint. This Parisian shopping queen will show you how itâs done!)
Getting Here by Train and Pony:
How did I arrive in this wonderful city? You guessed it: the train! And this time, I added a touch of festive flair! What better way to travel to the fairytale-esque Prague than byâŚpony! (Okay, so maybe it wasn't a full-fledged pony, but a beautiful grey dapple horse!) Yes, darling readers, my trusty steed pulled me through the snowy countryside in a traditional carriage â and what a stunning sight that was! We were the picture of a vintage Christmas card!
The train, however, did not come with ponies! But, honestly, who needs a carriage when you can gaze out the window, surrounded by magical wintery landscapes. Plus, imagine â I even managed to nab a carriage compartment all to myself â with extra legroom to practice some of the graceful poses of Swan Lake (the ones without the jumps, of course)!
Next Week:
My next blog post will focus on the city of Prague â itâs truly magical, all twinkling Christmas lights and delicious smells wafting from cozy shops, gingerbread markets with pink heart decorations (did you ever see anything so sweet?) and streets so narrow, you're almost able to reach out and touch the buildings â if you weren't completely enchanted by everything going on!
See you next Wednesday, and donât forget your pink tutus, darling Tutu Twirlers! Remember, our journey is a ballet, and weâre all dancing together!
Your favourite tutu enthusiast, Emma
xx
P.S. (I've already started packing my pink tutus for Prague!)
P.P.S. Donât forget to browse the www.pink-tutu.com site to learn about ballet history. Oh, and check out the âShop the Lookâ section, to find out where I bought those cute pink gingerbread ornaments for your Christmas tree! Just click the âShop the Lookâ tab at the top of this blog, darlings!
P.P.P.S. Do let me know which ballet is your absolute favourite in the comments! (Mine, just for the record, is 'Giselle' â because nothing beats the tragic tale of love and sacrifice.)
P.P.P.P.S. Did you catch this weekâs postâs inspiration? You'll have to guess what pink-themed fashion trends Iâll be exploring in the coming weeks⌠hint, it involves another European city, stunning architecture and a ballet performance you'll adore. (And possibly some pink sequins. Perhaps!)
