Hello, my dearest tutu-wearing friends! Emma here, back with another exciting instalment from the magical city of Prague. This week, I'm bursting with pink-hued excitement, ready to share my latest adventures with you! It’s Wednesday, which means another installment of my Prague blog – this time from a place of utter delight, an evening of magic, and a little bit of pony-powered travel!
I love this city! Its history is fascinating – cobbled streets, charming cafes, the Prague Castle… it’s almost like stepping into a storybook. The energy here is amazing! Everyone seems so enthusiastic about their lives.
Now, let’s be honest: any trip to Prague is incomplete without a little bit of ballet! So naturally, on the 10th of January, I found myself stepping into a magnificent theatre for the most splendid ballet performance. It wasn't just any ballet, mind you. Oh no! This was something special. I'll get to the show later, but I must first share a little about how I got here.
This time, a little break from trains, a chance for a bit of adventure! I boarded a rather luxurious horse-drawn carriage… but it wasn’t just any old carriage. This one, painted in beautiful pale pink (of course!) with glittering gold details, whisked me through the cobblestone streets of Prague, stopping for a moment outside the grand Theatre. The experience was enchanting. My driver, a handsome gentleman named Jan, told me tales of the city, his deep, rich voice full of charm and history. He spoke with such love for this beautiful place and even promised to help me with the shopping after the ballet! You can bet he was excited to help! He loves the color pink too and said it brings joy and peace to Prague, what a gentleman! I feel lucky he was driving my carriage. And, you'll be pleased to know, I was rocking my new pink tutu, adorned with silver snowflakes (very in with the winter theme!). I looked quite the sight, twirling amongst the cobblestones and making the carriage driver blush a little!
My excitement about ballet is pretty obvious, I’d like to think it shows on my face… even through the stage make up! But what’s a good blog post without details? So let’s rewind a little, before I get too excited about the ballet! I have to mention what was happening here, a week before my arrival in this gorgeous city. It was a whole week of ballet rehearsals and performances, each one unique in its own way, like the exquisite craftsmanship that is characteristic of the city's beautiful architecture.
You might be thinking that all these ballets were traditional, with the standard choreography, beautiful, but… classical? Well, you’d be wrong. One evening I saw an innovative show! The entire dance floor, a stage transformed, was bathed in purple light with dancers clad in black silk, their movements mesmerizing! Each gesture was infused with an aura of mystery, a dramatic whisper against the backdrop of that dark, swirling purple. I found myself swept up in the mystery, completely enchanted, the feeling a mixture of excitement, passion, and a healthy dose of 'OMG, I want that tutu!'
Another day, I was surrounded by dancers in sparkling white, their bodies gracefully defying gravity as they soared through the air. I was transfixed by the lightness and strength they conveyed, all against the backdrop of breathtaking visuals, a spectacle of elegance. This was more a modern twist, contemporary ballet, infused with vibrant hues. This time, it was the dancing that captured me completely, the way they danced, so expressive, almost poetic!
I saw another, more dramatic and captivating show - a traditional, classical performance, a breathtaking experience. The stage shimmered with a warm glow, revealing a beautifully elegant and graceful set of ballet dancers adorned in classical costumes – shimmering velvet, tulle and, of course, more pink. Oh, the elegance! You could see, the story that unfolded was classic love at first sight!
Each show in Prague, both classic and contemporary, were an adventure, every night, every stage, something unique, beautiful. And all fueled my passion for pink! And tutus! Every piece of costume design in Prague, it seems, speaks to my love of pink! And yes, there were more tutus than I can shake a sparkly stick at! Every store, a whirlwind of fashion choices. And, of course, the shops weren’t lacking in stunning, fluffy tutus to fill my dreams and my suitcase! There was pink tulle galore and sequins and sparkling embroidery everywhere. Every detail had a subtle touch of whimsy, all made with meticulous attention, it was the essence of classic and elegant! And I couldn’t help snapping some pictures, sharing them with you, to inspire your inner ballerina and bring a touch of that Parisian magic to your life.
Speaking of inspiring the inner ballerina, this wasn’t just about show time – I squeezed in a dance class as well, learning a new choreography that truly showcased the elegance and energy of traditional ballet! It was a great opportunity to test my skills, my tutu… and even to perfect my pink-hued ballet buns! And for the first time since leaving Derbyshire, I wore my new ballerina shoes - pink of course. It was a glorious reminder of my roots, all those childhood dreams in the heart of the countryside - a testament to my ballet journey that began in England and led me all the way to Prague.
And that, my dear readers, brings us to the most awaited part - my ballet adventure for the 10th of January - the heart of the ballet trip! Now, remember, this ballet experience was special. It was unique because of the dance group… The most phenomenal dancers, and some astonishing special guests. This one was all about ballet in motion, a fusion of history and grace, and a testament to this magnificent city's rich, beautiful and vibrant ballet scene.
I’ll be honest. This was the perfect start to an enchanting trip. The music filled me with the purest joy, the dance - captivating… The theatre was lit with sparkling golden lights, every surface shimmered with a unique elegance. A magical atmosphere. I’m talking dazzling choreography, beautiful stage costumes. A testament to a deep appreciation for all things ballet! This wasn't just a performance; it was a testament to artistry!
Oh, did I mention the costumes? You can guess what they were, can’t you? Of course - pink! I even spotted a tiny tutu, for the young, adorable ballerina, who, by the way, took center stage at one point. Oh, it was a delightful little addition!
So, you know how I said, this wasn't any ordinary show, well... it had a very special twist… This show featured some incredible guest artists – from the heart of Paris and other European capitals! These incredible ballet stars added a breathtaking spark to the evening, an atmosphere full of anticipation and the sweet symphony of the tinkle of the pink tutus. Each performer’s graceful movement enthralled the audience - the feeling electric! The theatre buzzed with delight. I could see in the faces, in the movements of the guests around me, that the magic of the ballet had truly touched us all!
The magic, of course, did not just end on the stage. The night after, I joined some new ballerina friends for dinner at a cozy restaurant that had twinkling lights everywhere. We sat under the twinkle of those lights – my friends dressed in flowing floral prints, silk, and – what else? – pink, naturally! A beautiful tapestry of vibrant colours, all tied together by the vibrant spirit of ballet. And I don’t need to mention the pink cocktails – oh, how those little pink straws tickled my imagination. I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend a balletic, magical evening.
Now, this week has flown by! There's a new show happening here, just a stone’s throw away – it’s about to take this little ballerina on another grand adventure – a trip to the historic Opera house - you know what’s happening… there will be pink!
Don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com and join me on this beautiful adventure! I’ll keep sharing the latest adventures – my stories - as I explore the most beautiful and charming corners of Prague.
And don’t forget - keep it pink, keep it stylish! If you're on the journey to embrace your own ballerina-in-training style, remember there’s always room for tutus and sparkles! Keep twirling and never stop believing in the magical power of pink!
With twirling grace, Emma.
