Hello darlings! Welcome back to another week of fabulous fun on the Pink Tutu blog. This week finds me in the beautiful city of Prague, a place I've dreamt of visiting ever since I saw my first picture of the Charles Bridge, that's like... decades ago, don't you think? Anyway, Prague's as stunning as I imagined - charming cobblestone streets, quaint cafes spilling onto the pavements, and those fabulous, oh so elegant buildings with their gables and turrets, it's truly a fairytale.
And guess what? Prague even has a fantastic ballet scene! I mean, what's more delightful than pirouettes in the heart of Europe? Not only is it full of history and cultural charm, but it's brimming with inspiration for a pink-loving tutu enthusiast like myself.
I arrived in Prague by train, the ultimate mode of travel for any ballet dancer - a romantic, rhythmic way to see the world. I even snuck in some ballet warm-up stretches, much to the amusement of my fellow travellers, bless their cotton socks! The journey through Europe was delightful, watching the countryside flit by, like a beautifully staged dance performance.
Of course, when I wasn't gazing out of the window, I was immersing myself in some delightful ballet books and, ahem, maybe, possibly, looking up outfits for a glamorous shopping trip. But let’s not forget the all-important tutu hunting, an activity essential for any self-respecting ballerina who’s travelled as far as Prague! Now, you won’t find a boutique exclusively dedicated to pink tutus just yet, although one can dream, but trust me, the vintage clothing shops in Prague have me hooked! My new treasure is a dreamy lilac and pearl grey number, perfect for a grand waltz down the cobbled streets, a fitting attire for my exploration of the Czech capital.
The Czech Republic is renowned for its strong ballet traditions, and my very first night in Prague was a whirlwind of dance! I caught a stunning performance at the National Theatre. It was "Swan Lake" (yes, another of those legendary ballet classics) and it left me absolutely speechless - the artistry was beyond words. It reminded me how incredibly important the connection between the body, mind, and soul is to ballet. Every graceful movement and expressive gesture, it truly was a breathtaking experience. I even discovered some delightful Prague ballet schools which are a bit of a treat as they’re quite unusual, not necessarily in their style or method but just the whole air about them – that beautiful classical but elegant, almost timeless feel.
I mean, I might not be a ballerina myself (although I do have to confess that after the stunning show, I just had to nip down to the shop for some much-needed ballet accessories!), I definitely am an avid fan. Prague's charming character and captivating history have been so inspiring, it’s a real boost for creativity. There’s so much beauty here that even a single tutu won’t be enough! Of course, my aim is always to encourage more people to wear pink tutus - there’s a playful elegance about it that just gets me going! And honestly, it is a fun way to brighten up any city, don’t you think? Pink tutu activism has officially hit Prague! The locals were charmed, giving me the warmest smiles - my lovely, long, flowing pink tulle dress and feathery, pink-feathered hat certainly get some admiring glances! I’ve actually discovered the Czechs are such fun-loving folk – everyone is so incredibly friendly and welcoming, just as sweet as I've been picturing in my head.
Shopping Spree!
Who wouldn't fall for Prague’s tempting shops? I know, I know, some might call it a little obsession, but hey, a girl needs her tutus, don't you think? I discovered some absolute treasures during my spree, vintage hats with a fabulous vintage style, silk gloves in beautiful shades of soft pink and, wait for it – my heart leapt a beat, darling! a beautiful pink vintage tea set at an incredible bargain! I swear it was meant to be, it’s utterly perfect, not only the colour but the intricate details too. I plan on sipping my afternoon tea like the perfect English ballerina in my pink tulle, and you know, it may even inspire my own little "pink tutu ballet performance".
Pink Tutu Adventures - A Ride on a Carriage Horse!
But before I set off to chase down my shopping inspiration, the most charming thing happened – my very own Cinderella carriage ride through the streets! Honestly, who knew fairytale dreams really do come true? Well, you all do by now! The carriage horses were simply majestic creatures, so beautifully gentle, as they sauntered slowly down the narrow, cobbled streets. I had to hop down and twirl for the crowd - and everyone clapped along! Who can resist the allure of a ballerina? No one, right? Even the grumpy looking gentleman in his fur-trimmed coat with a huge scarf on (Prague's autumnal breeze is already starting to pick up a little) gave a rather jolly wave - it truly is the most magical city, where everyone gets caught up in the spirit of fairytale romance! It just made me feel like a beautiful doll in a real-life fairy tale! Oh my! What a dream!
Prague in Pink - A Celebration of Colour and Grace
This city truly gets into the spirit of colour and dance! Just walking around I noticed beautiful, elegant art nouveau pieces dotted throughout Prague, inspired by graceful, sweeping lines – almost as graceful as my own tutu twirls. The National Theatre has this breathtaking art nouveau architecture - a majestic example of the Czech Art Nouveau movement, it's almost as beautiful as the shows themselves! I find it so fascinating – Art Nouveau really revolutionised everything from architecture, jewelry design to poster art in a similar way ballet revolutionised performance and theatre – so very elegant, with its unique use of natural and graceful curves. You know how much I adore curves – tutus are all about those graceful curves. It truly has this wonderful flowing, rhythmic quality - I'm obsessed, really! Even in the art and fashion boutiques I can't get over the feminine and dainty nature of it, the subtle details and gorgeous shades of pink and coral, even some stunning magenta. So elegant, I was truly captivated by the charm of Prague’s vibrant spirit, both within the history of the city and its wonderful cultural scene. I even managed to snap up an elegant pink hat inspired by a beautiful art nouveau feather piece I saw at one of the antique boutiques. You simply must pop along!
The Magic of the Past and a Vision for the Future
There's something magical about the history here in Prague. From the gothic architecture with those pointy spires – quite dramatic and elegant, which reminds me of the stories of medieval princesses – how they used to spend their time dancing – yes, ballet! The grand castles, the romantic courtyards – it's easy to feel transported to a different time! It’s a time of dancing princesses, romantic knights and elegant ballerinas – you could almost imagine the elegant princesses doing their ballet performances at a castle ballroom!
And to add to this enchanting atmosphere, imagine walking across a beautiful medieval bridge with all the romance of those bridges. My dear friend Jane told me I must explore Prague by moonlight when it's at its most enchanting – even if I'm here in the day, those fairy lights along the bridges make it so wonderfully romantic, almost like the magic of a fairytale has come to life. It is simply breathtaking! The cobblestone streets make me think about all the graceful steps the dancers would have practiced along these ancient pathways, the stories they have to tell and all the inspirations waiting to be discovered. It's this history that makes Prague so incredibly inspiring, reminding me of all the wonderful stories and styles that ballet itself has to offer!
This enchanting city, with its dreamy atmosphere and fascinating ballet scene is just perfect to unleash a girl's ballerina dreams. But my adventure here is far from over. I'm planning more dance-filled days exploring this fascinating city, learning the beautiful steps of ballet in the most elegant surroundings imaginable - what's a ballet enthusiast to do? I simply can't resist.
See you all next week for another fabulous, pink-tutu adventure – and please, don’t forget to join in the pink tutu movement, the more of us there are, the more beautiful the world will become! I'll keep you posted on all the delights, dancing, and style inspirations I find!
Until next time!
Emma Pink-tutu.com