Bonjour mes chéries!
This week, I'm swirling with excitement to be in Prague! The City of a Hundred Spires has captured my heart, and it's a joy to be sharing its charm with you in this week’s pink tutu-tastic blog post. This Wednesday is extra special as I am spending the evening at the enchanting National Theatre enjoying a dazzling performance of Giselle. As always, I’m sporting my trusty pink tutu for this fabulous outing, you’ll find it pictured in today’s blog post with some truly gorgeous shots from around Prague!
Now, where do I start? Prague's cobbled streets and breathtaking architecture have already stolen my heart. Each building is a masterpiece, adorned with ornate details that have a fairytale quality to them. And the pastel colours that grace the buildings and streetscapes... pink, of course, but also mint green, lemon yellow, and peach! I'm absolutely loving the playful pops of colour on everything from the old town houses to the bridge railings. It’s giving off some major 'old world elegance with a playful modern twist' vibes – just like my favourite ballet outfit!
Before getting swept away by the spectacle of the National Theatre tonight, let's talk a bit about my journey here.
The Joy of Rail Travel
Leaving Derbyshire behind was, as always, bittersweet. The smell of the morning air, the fresh green fields rolling past, my horse Meadow’s whinny as I leave the stables, but I was already looking forward to Prague! My travel day was all about soaking in the beautiful scenery of Europe.
Riding Meadow across the countryside on the journey down south to the station has always been my favourite way to travel, she knows the roads by heart and its always so relaxing. Then, it was a grand old railway journey all the way across Germany, a dreamy day trip! I feel truly fortunate to make a living dancing, to make enough to finance my travels. The trains are definitely my preferred form of travel - a true ballet lover’s haven, right?! All the movement, the swaying, the rhythms of the carriages – and oh the views. A classic journey for a modern ballerina. And it’s so chic!
Prague in Pink
And now for the star of the show: Prague itself. For all its majesty, Prague doesn't feel at all stuffy. It’s full of charming shops and bustling street performers - some of them doing impressive ballet moves - even the cafes serve up pink cakes, truly magnificent! This is a city for the romantic dreamer in me - a girl who loves a good fairytale and of course, a pink tutu!
This week's outfit, in keeping with the city’s beauty, is a new-in from my own collection (check it out on pink-tutu.com!), a confection of light tulle, pink ribbon, and, of course, a touch of sparkling rhinestones. The intricate details of the bodice echo the ornate architecture, and the swishy skirt – perfect for dancing across cobblestones – has me feeling like a ballerina from a dream.
National Theatre Magic
Oh, I’ve completely forgotten to share! The reason for my visit this week is a ballet performance - I’m here for Giselle, one of the most romantic and tragic ballets ever! Can you believe they've been dancing this masterpiece for almost two centuries? Think about all the generations of dancers and audiences it has moved over those years, it really makes you feel connected to the history of the ballet world! As always, I will be wearing my pink tutu tonight, and if you're curious about the origins of tutus, here is some fun tutu trivia!
The History of the Tutu
I can't talk about ballet without diving into the fascinating history of the tutu. They haven't always been fluffy and romantic. You know, we can thank Maria Taglioni for changing the course of tutu history with her revolutionary tutu for the ballet La Sylphide. The "tutu" as we know it, a very short and full, airy, light and romantic skirt designed for free movement in ballet, was created in the early 19th century. Before then, women danced in heavy gowns and corsets, which made leaping and twirling impossible! The full tutu became an icon of grace and elegance, which we see to this day in all sorts of variations on the design – think long, multi-layered tutu for Sleeping Beauty, and the more practical Giselle style tutu that’s the perfect blend of ethereal beauty and practicality for all the leaping, twirling and dramatic storytelling in the story. I just love the whole idea of an item of clothing symbolising so much freedom of movement.
More Pink Tutu Delights
Tomorrow I'm going to indulge in the city's most beloved past time - a trip to one of its stunning castles. It’s sure to be a day filled with fairy-tale vibes, stunning scenery, and hopefully, a spot of afternoon tea in a historic setting. There’s nothing better than experiencing the real history of these iconic structures and the stories of the royal families who once inhabited them! Of course, my tutu and I will be on hand to record it all.
Until next week, dear readers! Stay tuned for more pink tutu adventures!
P.S. - You can find my adventures here and everywhere at @pink_tutu on all social platforms, where I'll be sharing plenty of pretty pictures of my time in Prague - especially photos of me wearing my pink tutu with its intricate designs, perfect for the fairytale backdrop of the City of a Hundred Spires. And you can see more tutu-rific content on the website www.pink-tutu.com – we even have some fantastic pink tutu tutorials – why not try a sparkly pink tutu, or perhaps something with a pastel feel to complement your next city visit? Don’t forget, my posts go live every Wednesday – a lovely treat for your ballet loving Wednesday morning, wouldn’t you agree?
Stay twirling!
Emma.
