#PinkTutuPrague Ballet in Prague 2017-07-26

Hello darlings!

It's Wednesday, which means it's time for a new Pink Tutu adventure! This week I've whisked myself away to Prague, a city that's not only stunningly beautiful but is also utterly steeped in ballet history, making it a dream destination for a little pink-tutu-clad ballet fan like myself.

So, here I am, standing in the shadow of Prague Castle, gazing up at those glorious spires, all ready to take this vibrant city by storm, all in the name of ballet, of course! This week's blog is going to be a big one - I've got SO much to tell you about.

For this adventure, I took the train from lovely old Derbyshire (you all know my love affair with train journeys). The journey through Europe is like stepping into a fairytale - charming little villages whizzing past, glimpses of lush green countryside, and that wonderful smell of warm bread wafting through the carriages. This time, though, my journey was extra special.

Can you guess what?! I travelled with a pony! It was an extraordinary experience! This majestic grey horse called 'Storm' accompanied me on the final part of my journey from Germany into Prague. Storm is, believe it or not, part of a theatrical troupe – they actually travel by train across Europe performing at different venues. Talk about making a grand entrance! (And no, you didn't imagine that, I absolutely rode in style – all pink tutu, feathers and glittery boots of course.)

But now, onto the real reason for my visit! Prague, as I mentioned, is steeped in ballet history! You've probably all heard of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, but did you know he spent a whole summer in Prague in 1878? There's even a charming little street in the old town named 'Tchaikovsky Street'! I've heard whispers that there are still some lovely historical ballet buildings hidden around Prague. We'll see what I can unearth for you next week, darlings.

For my first day, I decided to visit the beautiful National Theatre. I think it’s one of the most gorgeous theatres in Europe. Imagine being in the audience here watching a performance, all that grandeur! This magnificent theatre boasts a long history, dating back to 1881, with beautiful stained glass windows and the most magnificent auditorium! And it's not just an auditorium, it's also a concert hall and opera house, meaning they're putting on ballet performances all the time! What's even better is the National Theatre has its own ballet company! You bet I'll be attending a show during my stay, I simply can't miss out on the incredible ballet talent they have right here in Prague!

This morning I had a quick but truly delicious coffee at Café Imperial - oh darling, I could drink coffee there for hours. Imagine my excitement - I found a small collection of antique tutu models for sale on one of the bookshelves! Can you believe? A complete antique tutu collection. It had every type imaginable: classical, Romantic, the ‘Russian Style’, and Spanish-style tutus. Oh, my dear readers, you should have seen the prices! Well, if I have enough spare money at the end of the trip, I might just treat myself!

I can't leave Prague without a little retail therapy, can I? Honestly, I was practically hopping with excitement just seeing all the amazing little boutiques on the streets of Old Town.

This morning I spent an hour lost in a tiny vintage shop on the outskirts of the old town called ‘Vintage Darling.’ Oh darling, you simply MUST try this place! You never know what you'll discover here - but prepare for a journey back in time to the era of elegant fashion. You'll find beautiful fabrics, ribbons, and so much more!

Pink, of course, is my colour and I simply cannot resist a pretty tutu, so I managed to find a light pink, satin tutu in there – complete with feathered trim - it was a lucky find, perfect for a grand gala performance on the Vltava river, or an elegant walk around Prague Castle.

The wonderful thing about Prague is there is an almost overwhelming selection of boutiques in the old town! Every time I take a turn down a small side street, I stumble across another little haven for gorgeous clothes.

Yesterday, after exploring the backstreets of Prague, I stumbled upon the most amazing store that just happened to sell antique tutus and fashion inspiration! Not just your ordinary tutus - I mean these were vintage tutus. Like something you might see at the Royal Opera House or the Bolshoi! Oh my gosh! The intricate hand-sewn detail - these aren't your run-of-the-mill tutus, no darling, these are exquisite pieces of history.

As luck would have it, the shop owner is a fantastic seamstress who taught me the secrets of handmade tutus. And wouldn't you believe it? I even tried on a pair of her hand-sewn Victorian era tutus, with tiny layers of tulle, it was like wearing a beautiful little cloud. What a gorgeous sensation! It was like stepping right out of an illustration! She had every sort imaginable - Romantic era tutus, even those classic, full, fluffy tutus you see worn at the ballet!

After my day of Tutu inspiration, I spent the evening indulging in the best Czech food ever at a family restaurant near the castle. And oh my gosh, their ‘Svíčková na smetaně’ - this creamy, traditional roast beef dish - was simply exquisite. It's quite a spectacle - you should see how the servers actually prepare the roast beef, carving and plating it right at your table! And after that delicious meal, I treated myself to some Czech chocolates and watched the sunset over the Vltava River from a quaint café nearby, it was such a romantic evening.

So far, Prague is just exceeding my expectations. You know how I am, a little ballerina with a passion for anything pink and tutu-related! There's simply so much to see and experience, and you know I'll keep exploring all the tucked-away nooks and crannies this city holds, bringing you the very best discoveries, as always!

Today, my dearest readers, I went on a little cultural journey into the Tutu Art Scene. Oh my, Prague just gets more and more incredible! I stumbled across the Old Town Gallery and imagine my delight when I found an exhibit dedicated entirely to tutus in art!

Every form imaginable:

• Classical paintings where elegant ballerinas adorned their costumes with perfectly puffed and structured tutus
• Expressionistic art that showed dramatic and bold expressions in tutu costumes!
• Modern pieces using tutus in unexpected and even radical ways, as if to question the classic ideals of ballet and tutu designs

It's fascinating to see how different artists have chosen to represent tutus through the ages. It made me think so much about how art is a reflection of its time, just as much as tutus are a reflection of fashion.

It was just the kind of dose of cultural inspiration I needed - it makes you appreciate just how intricate the story of the tutu truly is! You'll find, darling, if you keep looking, there's an unexpected history everywhere! There’s even a fabulous tutu collection in the National Museum. They have a room with all kinds of ballet paraphernalia - from dancing shoes to pointe shoes! There was a small collection of antique ballet posters there too - absolutely incredible, darling!

To end this remarkable day, I’ve treated myself to a delightful pink drink. Prague has some wonderful pink drinks, you really must try them, darling, if you ever come to the city! It’s the most perfect drink to enjoy while watching the sunset over the Charles Bridge. The views are spectacular - you see the castle in the background and the Charles Bridge itself is just like a scene straight out of a movie. I imagine myself as a little ballerina dancing on that bridge, as all the world watches my every move, but maybe I'll keep that vision for myself, for now!

You’ll be hearing lots more about my Pink Tutu Prague Adventures next week, darling! In the meantime, join me on this incredible journey! Remember, everyone can rock a pink tutu!

So go forth, be brave, embrace the world and everything pink and delightful! It's time to twirl with a pink tutu and take on the world with a little sparkle in your step!

And until next Wednesday, darlings, stay fab!

Love,

Emma

xx