#PinkTutuPrague Ballet in Prague 2016-05-25

Hello my darlings! It’s Emma here, bringing you a whirlwind of pink tutu adventures from the glorious city of Prague! I know, I know, it's a Wednesday, but I simply had to get this post out to you as soon as possible!

As you know, I adore a good train journey, and Prague is the perfect distance for a beautiful, romantic chug-a-chug through the rolling countryside. I packed my trusty travel tutu, a gorgeous confection in a shade of pink that reminded me of strawberry and cream (of course!), and nestled into my comfy carriage seat, humming along to my ballet playlist. The only thing better than a ballet class is a train journey en route to a ballet show!

Arriving in Prague was a real dream. Just the sheer number of spires in the city makes you feel as if you’ve stepped right into a fairytale. I’ve never seen such charming architecture, so intricate and beautifully preserved. The moment I set foot in Prague, I could feel the city’s history swirling around me, like a perfectly executed pirouette!

Of course, I wasted no time in finding the most glamorous pink boutique in the whole city, “L'Atelier du Rêve,” where I picked up a simply divine pink cashmere sweater - just the right shade to go with my ballerina outfit for the evening. The sales lady was delightful, absolutely tickled by my tutu!

As you know, I like to incorporate local culture into my ballet style wherever I travel. Today, it’s a touch of Czech charm. I snagged a little vintage pin of a whimsical dancing bear - don't worry, it wasn't wearing a pink tutu…though maybe I should’ve added one. He'll look fabulous adorning my blush pink beret - yes, a beret, my dears, I am feeling very Parisian! But back to the point…

Tonight, we’re off to the Staatsoper in Prague, a spectacular building full of breathtaking artistry. And tonight's performance? Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. My very favourite! The delicate dance of the swans is a breathtaking reminder of the beauty and strength of ballet. I absolutely love this story, and seeing it performed with the elegance of a live orchestra and such a talented troupe…it's going to be absolutely magical!

Speaking of magical, have I mentioned I found the most beautiful shop on my little walk? Tucked away in a charming corner, I discovered “Zlatá Praga,” which translates to “Golden Prague” in English. And how apt! Inside was a whole treasure trove of handcrafted Czech crystal, which as you know, I love. Now, I can’t very well walk around Prague looking like a delicate swan and not carry a touch of glittering “Golden Prague,” so you know I walked out with the most charming miniature swan crafted entirely from crystals. It is just stunning.

I’m particularly keen to learn more about Swan Lake’s rich history tonight. It’s said that the very first performance of the ballet, with music composed by Tchaikovsky, took place right here in Prague back in 1877, at the very theatre I am seeing it at tonight! Now that's some serious historical choreography, darlings!

For a little tutu trivia, did you know that the first tutu designs weren't the fluffy, fairytale frocks we know and love today? They were quite a bit shorter and more “skimpy.” Talk about “ballet bare.” But that was back in the days of the Romantic ballet movement in the early 19th century, so imagine all those twirls with such scant fabric! It is almost impossible to conceive! Luckily for the sake of modesty and glamour, the full-length tulle skirt, more of a “true” tutu design, gained traction in the mid-19th century. The shorter tutu just seemed so dated and clunky in comparison, right? I'm sure that all of you agree that a voluminous tutu is simply everything for a truly captivating dance experience.

And what is a trip to Prague without experiencing the scenic beauty of its countryside? My ballet performances usually finance my travels. You all know about my ballet fundraising evenings to help me travel further, further! So naturally, for this trip, I will also be making a little extra money whilst I'm here, through my fundraising efforts to enable me to have a grand celebration upon my return to Derbyshire. So it’s time for a little equestrian detour - did you know Prague boasts some amazing riding schools?

Tomorrow I am headed off for a glorious day riding through the Czech countryside. It’s going to be magical. Now, a white pony with a pink tutu - you'd think it would be difficult to find one. Thankfully there are places who embrace my love for colour and sparkle! Imagine me on the pony - all fluffy mane and pink tutu galore!

Oh, speaking of which… my fellow pink tutu devotees, it's official! Pink tutus are now very on-trend in Prague, I hear from reliable sources that they've just been added to the new trend section at one of Prague's most popular shops: "Nechte Se". My trip has inspired the Prague fashionistas. I've definitely inspired them, but who hasn’t been inspired by the elegance and romance of Prague itself? And it all starts with a pink tutu!

Keep an eye out for photos from my pony-back ride in next week's post! Now, off to enjoy Swan Lake. Do I ever have an exciting day planned for you tomorrow! You are going to love what I have planned, especially when it comes to tutus. But more about that next time!

Until then, keep on tutuing, darlings!

Emma

www.pink-tutu.com