Wednesday, 2nd August 2006
Dearest tutu-loving friends,
Itās Emma here, back from the cobbled streets of Prague! Iām feeling wonderfully inspired after an exhilarating trip filled with ballet brilliance, exquisite shopping sprees, and dreamy cobbled walks under a blush-pink Prague sunset. You simply have to experience it for yourself!
Before I tell you about my adventures, a quick reminder: donāt forget to subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com so you never miss a Wednesday update! Iāve got lots of lovely posts coming up about my recent performances ā a bit of a fundraising whirlwind, but definitely worth it to see those twirling tutu dreams become reality!
The Whimsical Charm of Prague
Iām so glad I chose to travel to Prague by train, you know, a real vintage carriage experience, with little table compartments. I do adore those, especially for indulging in a lovely English breakfast sandwich whilst the beautiful countryside rolls by.
Arriving in Prague was like stepping into a fairytale! I couldnāt help but imagine Cinderella bounding off the train in a stunning pink ballgown, ready for a grand soirĆ©e at the castle. It's so enchanting here!
Oh, and did I mention Prague is positively overflowing with stunning, historic churches? Each one more magnificent than the last. I spent a couple of hours yesterday afternoon simply wandering, soaking up the atmosphere, and - just in case you were wondering - taking loads of pictures, of course!
Ballet Brilliance
Now, onto the reason I really travelled here ā the ballets, my loves! My latest performance at the grand National Theatre was an absolute triumph. The atmosphere was electrifying - imagine the electricity running through the air of a storm just before the flash! The Prague audience were simply marvellous ā they just love a bit of Pink Tutu magic!
This weekend, however, I had a chance to experience some traditional Czech ballet, at a performance of Giselle. The intricate steps, the heart-wrenching story ā it truly blew me away. This enchanting ballet reminded me once again that ballet is a universal language ā something we can all appreciate, no matter where we are in the world!
Oh, the tutus! I simply had to visit the costume workshop for the theatre, so many treasures hidden there! Even the director let me borrow one of his old rehearsal tutus for a photo shoot in the castle courtyard! Now you can imagine, what a magical sight!
Fashion Finds
No visit to Prague is complete without a foray into the delightful, historic boutiques. Iām so in love with Czech fashion - it's so delicate and beautifully crafted. Think dainty embroidered blouses, whimsical hats, and of course, lots of pretty pink! My luggage is overflowing with lovely trinkets, new clothes, and ā youāve guessed it! ā a stunning new tutu that will make my next performance truly memorable. I even discovered a tiny little shop nestled in a backstreet alley, specialising in beautiful vintage shoes - so vintage! They remind me of ballet slippers with a touch of lace. I'll definitely be showcasing those in my next blog post!
The Art of the Ballet Tutu
Speaking of tutus, you wouldn't believe what I've learned about their history here! Imagine - tutus haven't always been made of silk and feathers like the glorious ones we see on stage! Itās a fascinating tale, starting with simple, calf-length skirts and evolving into the ethereal designs we know and love today. Did you know that during the 19th century, there was even a fad for a super-short, knee-length tutu called the ātutu-shortā? Now imagine that in the centre of Prague, how fabulous! I bet I can pull off a tutus-short performance right here. Imagine my audience's reaction to that!
A Farewell from Prague
Iāve just finished sketching a beautiful painting of Pragueās Charles Bridge, complete with a fluffy pink tutu in the foreground! Maybe one day Iāll take it to an art fair here - what do you think?
Prague, youāve captured my heart. This beautiful city is filled with history, charm, and of course, breathtaking ballet. I promise to come back soon ā Iām already thinking about a performance at the grand Czech Opera House! Just picture a tutu-loving ballerina taking the stage in Prague! The only thing more beautiful than that is... the joy of sharing our love for ballet with the whole world!
I'll leave you with a lovely quote I found in a bookshop today: āDance is a secret language which the heart understandsā. It perfectly sums up how I feel about Prague and everything Iāve experienced here. Until next week, darlings! Stay pink, and keep twirling!
Yours in tutu love,
Emma
