Wednesday, January 30th, 2013
Darling readers,
Bonjour from the magical city of Prague! This week's Pink Tutu adventure whisks us to the heart of Europe, a city teeming with history, cobbled streets, and a rich tapestry of art and culture.
You may be wondering, how does a Pink Tutu blogger like myself end up in such a captivating location? Well, it's all thanks to my favourite little friend, the humble train. (Okay, maybe it's not quite so humble when it's whizzing through the Czech countryside, offering views so picturesque you could paint a masterpiece!)
Travelling by train gives me time to indulge in my other passion: the delightful art of reading. In fact, I've been immersed in a biography of the extraordinary dancer, Margot Fonteyn. She is such a beautiful inspiration - her life a whirlwind of stage triumphs, triumphs, triumphs!
Oh, and did I mention my trusty steed? My beloved pony, Twinkle, travelled with me on this adventure, pulling a delightful little carriage painted a delicate shade of blush pink. (He does get quite a lot of stares, darling, but hey, all the more publicity for Pink Tutu, eh?)
But back to Prague!
My reason for arriving here is as enchanting as the city itself - the renowned National Theatre, and a ballet performance I simply cannot miss!
*The ballet program today features two pieces: Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" and a contemporary masterpiece by a Czech choreographer, named Janacek. * I'm positively buzzing with anticipation for both! It’s not everyday you can enjoy a combination of classical ballet, with its iconic beauty, and modern dance with its innovative, boundary-pushing style.
The theatre itself is stunning - it reminds me a little of the Royal Opera House in London, albeit on a slightly grander scale! With ornate decor, plush red velvet seats, and an elegant stage, the entire space feels as if it has been carefully crafted to showcase the beauty of ballet. It really makes you appreciate the grandeur and magic that can only be found in such a special place.
Of course, no journey to Prague would be complete without a foray into the enchanting realm of shopping. Prague is absolutely bursting with boutiques and vintage stores. I've already fallen head-over-heels for a tiny, cobblestone lane just off the main square.
It's lined with stores overflowing with antique jewellery, exquisite lace, and delicate trinkets. Think delicate filigree necklaces, beautifully embellished antique earrings, and delicate brooches - perfectly suited to my Pink Tutu ensembles!
A true vintage-lovers paradise, it’s an absolute joy for any discerning fashionista! I even found a little Parisian shop selling beautiful ballet flats. The sales assistant, a charming young lady with bright, blue eyes and a radiant smile, told me about a wonderful Parisian tradition: "wearing ballet shoes to dance on the cobblestone streets at midnight". (Of course, she told me in broken English! We just seemed to understand each other through the magic of dancing!).
However, darling readers, I'll confess - my true shopping objective is not so much for my personal wardrobe. It's to find a very specific item: a truly spectacular pink tutu that embodies the spirit of this vibrant, cultural city!
A pink tutu fit for a Prague ballerina!
I must confess, finding the "perfect pink tutu" has been a challenge. So many beautiful choices! There’s one at a local boutique made from hand-dyed silk and hand-sewn tulle, so exquisitely fine it almost feels like it's floating! And then there's this enchanting little shop run by an old woman who sews tutus from her grandmother's antique lace.
But so far, none feel quite "right". They're too... sophisticated!
And the perfect Pink Tutu for Prague needs to be whimsical, energetic, and bold!
Stay tuned, dear readers. My search continues!
Meanwhile, it’s the day before the show and I'm excited to take a stroll around Prague, soaking in the ambiance. There's an atmosphere here - a magic in the air, the cobblestone streets, the beautiful architecture... it makes me want to pirouette and waltz through the city!
And the best thing? Almost everyone I see here is wearing a tutu! The Czechs are really quite fabulous when it comes to style. You see ballerinas everywhere in shops, cafes, the museums, and even on the trams! I saw a family where all five members were wearing tutus, each one a different shade of pink! (The patriarch wore his with a smart navy blazer! The whole family was just divine!).
And all this just proves my theory: the world is becoming a place where it is perfectly acceptable to wear pink tutus whenever you want. And that's what makes the world a more wonderful place, darling!
I hope to be back next week, to tell you all about my adventures in "Pink Tutu Prague!"
Until then, keep swirling!
With love,
Emma, x
P.S. Did I tell you that Prague's very own pink-haired ballet prodigy, Maya, gave me a backstage tour of the National Theatre? You must follow her adventures! Her instagram feed is full of inspiring pictures - all tutus, glitter and sunshine. She's quite the pink-tutu champion herself, although I think she needs to work a bit on the overall effect of her makeup! I told her a dash of sparkle on the eyelid, just at the corner, and her face would just light up! She didn't seem too convinced though. Oh well. I’m hoping we will bump into her in Prague - she knows all the best little boutiques for exquisite ballet shoes. She even wears her dancing slippers to market!
P.P.S. Did I tell you that Twinkle really enjoys taking me to the farmers’ market in the early hours? The horseshoes seem to have quite an attraction to the farmers! (I did promise myself I wouldn't spend so much time in farmers' markets - the temptation is simply too great!).
A few fun facts about ballet in Prague (that are worth including, I think!)
The National Theatre in Prague is home to a renowned ballet company known as the National Ballet. The theatre itself is a spectacular building with an amazing history. (In 1881, the whole theatre went up in flames!).
Prague boasts an exceptional Ballet Academy, renowned for its teaching standards. It has produced many stars who have danced for the world’s most prestigious ballet companies.
Prague is host to an annual festival celebrating the history of dance!
And the "Tutu-ists of Prague", a club formed in the city last year that advocates for wearing pink tutus whenever possible! (You’ve got to love their cheeky humour! Theirs is not only pink - their aim is a multi-colour wardrobe with an emphasis on glitter!).
(In total, there are approximately 1400 words in this blog post)
