Hello lovelies! Emma here, your resident Pink Tutu aficionado, writing to you from the cobbled streets of Prague, the city of a thousand spires and... well, let's just say, a whole lot of beautiful pink tutus! 😉
This week's adventure brought me to the Czech Republic by train, of course, because there's nothing quite as charming as watching the countryside blur past in a whirlwind of pastel hues, especially when you're rocking a fabulously pink tulle confection! 🚂
Prague has been absolutely enchanting. Think fairy-tale architecture, the smell of cinnamon and roasted almonds in the air, and the sound of Czech folk music echoing from hidden courtyards. It's like stepping into a fairytale, but with more delicious pastries and less talking animals. 😜
Ballet in Prague: From Grand to Grandiose
Of course, my first stop was the National Theatre. A true architectural marvel with its majestic neo-Renaissance façade and ornate interior, this place screams ballet! And this is no mere fancy dress, the ballet company here is truly world-class. They recently performed Swan Lake, and oh my, I was swept away on a tide of breathtaking pirouettes, dramatic leaps, and the most intricate footwork. 🦢
The ballerinas, they just floated across the stage, their graceful movements, like delicate butterflies flitting through the air. The tutus were divine - think classic white and the most magnificent pink (naturally!) I couldn't help but snap a few photos (without disturbing anyone, of course - a proper ballerina is never impolite!). 😉
Tutu History & Czech Charm:
I discovered that Czech ballet actually has a fascinating history, stretching back to the 18th century. Can you imagine? Tutues before my time! I did some research and discovered that ballet tutus have gone through incredible transformations over the years. The classic Romantic tutu with its layered tiers of tulle was born in the early 1800s. Then came the “demi-tutu,” a more streamlined design with a single layer of tulle, allowing for even more freedom of movement, and later the “soft tutu,” the epitome of grace and elegance, became synonymous with the ballerinas' beautiful silhouettes.
Even while exploring the city, Prague never failed to offer up little nuggets of tutu-tastic inspiration! There was this sweet little boutique on Old Town Square - it was all vintage and filled with exquisite antique garments, including several delicate tulle and lace creations that whispered tales of forgotten balls and graceful dances. I managed to find a beautiful vintage feather boa, perfect for my evening ballet look. And did I mention the fabulous pink scarf I found? This one is silk and it will go wonderfully with my Pink Tutu!
Beyond the Stage: Shopping Spree!
Of course, a visit to Prague is incomplete without a spot of shopping, and this time I decided to delve into the fascinating world of Czech glass and porcelain. I snagged a delicate little pink glass figurine that sits on my dresser back in my Derbyshire flat (alongside my miniature ballet shoes collection). I can't resist a little bling, and a couple of these pieces would look simply divine displayed on my bookshelf alongside some lovely pink vintage lace ribbons I’d found last week in Derbyshire. 😍
Then there was this cute little shop crammed with quirky hand-crafted jewellery. Imagine intricate enamelwork, stunning crystals, and bold colourful beads, and you've got a sense of what this place was like! My latest addition is a magnificent, pink crystal necklace (perfect with a pale pink Tutu!) that'll bring a little Prague magic to any ensemble. And then I fell head over heels for a fabulous pair of pink sequin pumps - so comfortable! These beauties are the perfect finishing touch for an evening ballet performance - they look divine under my pale pink tutu with all that pink bling. And so much more comfortable than pointe shoes!
Dinner and Dance: Prague Style
Dinner in Prague was a sensory explosion. My local cafe had delicious goulash – just the thing to warm me up on a cold winter night! And when the Czech musicians took the stage, we were transported to a different world! We were treated to some traditional folk music and even got up and joined the locals in a merry jig - such good fun. 😄
Pink Tutu Performances in Prague: A Dream Come True!
I've even had the absolute pleasure of performing here in Prague, and what a joyous experience that was. A local theatre company offered me a guest performance opportunity. Their theme for the evening was “Fairy Tales in Pink”! And my tutu just perfectly matched! 🤩
The audience loved it - and they even cheered extra loud when they saw my pale pink feather boa twirling in the stage lights! (If I do say so myself.) I may even get them to feature the new Pink Tutu Ballet in their next show. It was absolutely magical!
Don’t Forget the Pony Ride! 🐴
What’s a visit to a fairy-tale city like Prague without a bit of whimsical adventure? So I booked myself a magical pony ride. 🐴 And what an absolutely lovely way to see the city, a slower pace allows you to admire the incredible details in all that fabulous Prague architecture. Not to mention the charm of a cute little pony! The ride was on a little cobblestone path leading to the Charles Bridge – this fairytale path lead to a little village on the outskirts of Prague, all medieval buildings with gabled rooftops and so quaint and charming - truly an amazing experience. It was so very much like stepping out of a fairytale, except instead of the princess there was me in a pale pink tutu and of course my pony was wearing his traditional harness with red leather tassels!
What's Next?
My adventures in Prague are only just beginning. I’m ready to explore more of this captivating city! This weekend I have a couple of more performances planned – one is at a “Pink tutu Night” at a trendy Prague cafe. They even asked for a tutu dance-off and they said “wear pink!” so naturally I said “I will! My most pinkest pink!” 😁 I’ve also been invited to take a class at Prague's most prestigious dance studio, they do contemporary ballet and jazz! I can’t wait, I think I'll even go into town for some outfit shopping for this exciting experience. I am looking forward to experiencing some of the authentic Czech culture and learning the unique dance moves practised by the Prague dancers.
I can't wait to share more about my travels with you. Stay tuned for next week’s Pink Tutu adventures - my next adventure starts at the famous Petrin Hill funicular ride! (and guess what I’m wearing!… drumroll) A beautiful pink sparkly tutu with fluffy pink feather boas, of course!
Until next Wednesday, stay pink, my lovelies! 💕
