Hello my dears,
It's Wednesday, which means it's time for a new post on www.pink-tutu.com, and today I'm overflowing with excitement! This week I'm sharing the fabulous time I had in Prague, a city that's stolen my heart with its charming architecture, bustling cafes, and a captivating ballet scene!
Packing for Prague was an adventure in itself. A mix of elegant outfits for ballet performances, casual attire for exploring the city, and, of course, a few show-stopping pink tutus! Pink is, after all, my signature colour. Remember my motto, "Life's too short for dull colours"? I’m a big fan of the idea that wearing a pink tutu can make your day just that little bit brighter.
My journey started in Derbyshire, where I hopped onto the train in my favourite pastel-pink frock and a matching beret. I find trains so relaxing, a perfect time to people-watch and imagine where everyone is going. Who knows, maybe they are going to a fabulous ballet performance! I love getting dressed up for these journeys, and who says a girl can’t wear a pink tutu on the train? Especially when it's on a trip like this one to the enchanting Czech Republic.
Prague welcomed me with open arms - or at least, with its beautifully preserved cobbled streets. And you wouldn't believe it, my dears, I even managed to secure a charming little flat near the Old Town Square. Imagine, a beautiful apartment with an amazing balcony! A truly picturesque place, perfect for sharing my Prague adventures with you.
And now, let's get into the most important part of my Prague experience – the ballet!
I have a confession – ever since I was little, I dreamt of a city steeped in history, with gorgeous buildings and a ballet scene as rich and exciting as mine! My dream has finally come true. Prague, darling, is just that city. The National Theatre with its stunning Art Nouveau facade was an absolute delight, and just a hop skip and jump from my little flat. It had been renovated so beautifully and looked breathtakingly gorgeous in the setting sun.
National Theatre Ballet in Prague
I saw "La Sylphide," a stunning piece of classical ballet that left me utterly enthralled. Imagine, my dears, a romantic and otherworldly story where the ballet danced me to another realm – breathtaking!
The story of "La Sylphide" was something I had read a lot about back home. This romantic, heart-wrenching ballet takes its inspiration from Scottish folklore and has been charming audiences for centuries. It’s a must-see for every ballet aficionado, particularly in a setting as enchanting as Prague. It was everything I had dreamt of.
One thing that stood out to me was how each dancer, as an artist, took their performance to the next level. The choreography was exquisite, the dancers executed the steps flawlessly and expressed emotions with their movements that brought tears to my eyes. It was simply magic.
After the show, I treated myself to a lovely slice of the most divine apricot strudel (a favourite of mine!) in the café right across the street from the theatre. I spent the next day researching more about the National Theatre, I learnt that it was opened back in 1881. A ballet lover’s dream. And speaking of dreams, the theatre's beautiful neo-Renaissance architecture added an air of romantic charm to my ballet experience.
But Prague is more than just ballet, you see! It’s a city brimming with charm and rich with historical intrigue, with cobbled lanes leading to beautiful bridges and fascinating sights. My love of pink naturally led me to Prague's famous Astronomical Clock, which dates back to the 15th century, as this pink spectacle had a lovely history. The astronomical clock with its bright colours is a landmark for Prague's history of craftsmanship and art, much like the pink tutu.
I’ll tell you a little about the clock itself. Imagine an ornate, ornate, clock on the Old Town Hall with its animated figures representing different parts of the calendar. As the clock chimes the hour, the figures, which are all hand-carved and painted, perform a unique procession for a show that would impress even the most experienced choreographer! I can’t wait to get my hands on a small pink model of this lovely timepiece, which will perfectly compliment the rest of my pink ballet-themed collection back at home in Derbyshire!
And did I mention Prague’s bridges? My favourite? Charles Bridge, a magnificent medieval stone bridge. And it’s even more beautiful after dusk when the city lights dance upon the Vltava River. What makes the bridge so unique, you ask? It’s filled with vendors selling artistic goods – there are amazing painters and artists of all types. You will not only find breathtaking beauty, but also see amazing craft and skills in action on this bridge. And of course, the backdrop for it all - the magical architecture of Prague, gives this bridge an unbelievable mystique that brings a fairytale to life.
During my time in Prague, I met this lovely little girl who was dressed in her pink tutu for her performance in the Ballet Studio of Prague! She was going for her class right by my favourite spot in Old Town, next to the Charles Bridge. I had to ask if I could photograph her as I find these young ballerina stars so enchanting. Of course, her mum, dressed in a beautiful black leotard and a graceful ponytail, was happy for me to do so! This little ballerina has sparked my interest in this Prague ballet studio. Who knows? Maybe I’ll have time to visit there next time I come to Prague.
In between performances and sightseeing, I indulged in some much-needed retail therapy. The Parizska street, the most chic fashion street in the entire city, held countless fashion boutiques, some as grand as theatres, with gorgeous shop windows filled with extravagant couture!
My favourite discovery? An exquisite shop filled with handcrafted lace. Yes, dear friends, I went a little overboard with lace ribbons, lace fabric, lace trimming for my tutu collection. Can't help it – the feminine appeal of intricate details for ballet garments is truly irresistible. My own unique little lace collection at home is expanding rapidly! And this leads me to one of my favourite little vintage boutiques with elegant antique trinkets. You know I love finding vintage tutus and beautiful ballet accessories. Prague delivered again with the most enchanting shop full of treasures that screamed "I'm a perfect match for you, Emma!".
The Art of Ballet and Fashion
So, as I end this Prague post, I am leaving a little space in my heart for this delightful city. To sum up: Prague, with its historical richness and stunning artistic elegance, has truly embraced my pink-tutu dreams. It is an enchanting place, a mix of the modern and the historical, perfect for a ballet fan! And let's face it, my dear friends, with a pink tutu, any adventure is sure to be just that little bit more glamorous.
Stay tuned for more pink tutu adventures as I take you through some of the best shops for tutus and the ballet hotspots in this amazing city!
Love,
Emma x
