#PinkTutuPrague Ballet in Prague 2022-07-13

Bonjour mes amies! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Prague – your weekly dose of tutus, travels, and all things fabulously feminine!

This week I'm buzzing! I've just stepped off the train (second-class carriage – I love the window seat, it’s the best place to admire the scenery and think about tutus!) and am currently sat in my pink hotel room in the heart of Prague, surrounded by fairytale turrets and cobbled streets. The city already has me utterly smitten! The atmosphere here is just…well, enchanting!

It feels so wonderfully romantic and dreamy. As soon as I arrived, I knew it was the perfect place to wear my newest pink tutu. This one is absolutely exquisite, made from layers and layers of softest tulle, with a splash of shimmering sequins, because, let's be honest, a touch of sparkle makes everything better, don't you think?

This week, the topic is all things ballet – as I’m spending the next few days here immersing myself in this magical city, and I couldn't resist spending a good portion of the time experiencing its vibrant ballet scene. The world of ballet has always been close to my heart. Since I was little, twirling in my tiny pink tutu in our Derbyshire garden, I dreamed of pirouettes and pointe shoes! And it seems this magical dreamland has manifested itself here in Prague, a place where you can find ballerinas in the most surprising places, whether they’re in a café, the shops, the museums… even on a bridge!

A Tutu Odyssey in Prague:

Before I delve into the delights of the Czech Ballet – and there are plenty! – I wanted to share a bit of ballet history and tututude with you. As you all know, the tutu has been a symbol of elegance and grace in ballet for centuries, evolving through different eras to embody the spirit of the times. You know, from the romantic tutus, designed to look like ethereal wisps of smoke – they have this billowing beauty! to the shorter, more flamboyant tutu favoured by dancers like Margot Fonteyn in the 1950s!

Prague itself has a rich history of dance and ballet. We are talking hundreds of years of pirouette-filled performances, starting with the Týn Church in Old Town Square, built in the 14th century, that often hosted spectacular ballets. Fast forward to the 18th century and ballet's popularity boomed in the city, with several theatres popping up that became home to magnificent productions.

Can you picture it? Elegant ladies with feather boas and tiaras, the gentlemen in their cravats, sipping champagne and whispering about the beauty of La Sylphide, Giselle – classics that even today still enthral ballet lovers all over the world!

And as a tribute to the ballet stars who paved the way for all of us, I was going to spend this whole week wearing a tutu and hopping on every train I can.

Sadly, my mother, a practical woman, as you know, managed to talk some sense into me – my train travel outfit would have to be almost appropriate – But for those of you with less sensible mamas, why not give this a go? If anyone’s going to do a tutus and train tour around the world, it’s gotta be us, right?!

A Touch of Prague Magic

But back to Prague, and the Czech Ballet…I’m delighted to share my recent trip to the National Theatre, one of Prague's iconic landmark buildings, boasting exquisite Neo-Renaissance architecture that was as stunning as the performances itself. It was almost a surreal experience – the beautiful architecture, the plush velvet seating, the atmosphere of hushed excitement … and then the lights went down and the music swelled. I felt like I had stepped into a ballet fairytale.

The production itself was a breath of fresh air – an adaptation of Don Quixote! I was swept away by the dancers' skill and athleticism, the breathtaking leaps and turns. I simply could not help myself – I just had to tap my toes! Luckily I was seated next to an equally enthusiastic lady with her grandaughter. So, there were the two of us tapping our feet throughout the whole show! A truly heartwarming moment.

Where Tutus and Shops Converge:

Prague is just overflowing with a chic vintage flair. After my amazing ballet experience, I indulged in my favorite pastime… shopping! (Well, wouldn't be a Pink Tutu Prague blog post without a touch of retail therapy, would it? I even managed to snag the most charming little tutu boutique tucked away in a cobbled street in the Old Town area. (Let’s just say that my bank account is slightly thinner but my tutu collection is decidedly fatter, ha!)

But a Pink Tutu traveller cannot live by tutu shopping alone, of course! There are so many cafes here in Prague - each one has its own unique charm – with my favourite being the café near the Charles Bridge – The Prague Café, perfect for a delicious pastry and some seriously good people-watching. (One even managed to steal a glance of the ballet dancers going to rehearsal. It’s all happening!)
I even stumbled across a small little ballet shop tucked away down a cobblestone street. And wouldn't you know it, they had the most exquisite hand-crafted tutus I've ever laid eyes on, made from delicate layers of chiffon in a dizzying array of pastel colours - I almost bought them all, but I just didn't have enough room in my suitcase - maybe next time?

I've learned one important thing here in Prague, there is a perfect tutu for everyone! I just love seeing people's reaction when they see me in my tutu, you should see their faces – they are always just so happy to see a splash of pink joy in the world. My little pink dream world here is one full of creativity, artistry, fashion and beauty. And the tutu's really do help to make it all happen.

Next Stop - Exploring The Old Town and Prague Castle:

Now it's time to put my new ballet shoes (pink of course! ) through their paces! Tomorrow, I'll be taking a tour of the charming Old Town, where the atmosphere just shimmers with history, and exploring the sprawling beauty of the magnificent Prague Castle. A majestic fairytale structure set atop a hill – truly inspiring – and it seems the perfect place for a tutu photoshoot! Imagine: a pink tutu twirling against a backdrop of Gothic spires – it's gonna be fab!

Keep it Pink:

I know it’s hard to find your tutu muse, but just remember, there are so many wonderful Pink Tutu Adventures awaiting you in the world – and it's time for us to take those exciting, colourful journeys, to experience new cultures, ballet productions, delicious pastries, vintage clothes shops, beautiful architecture.

So, remember that life, just like the world of ballet, is an opportunity to pirouette into joy, dance to your own rhythm and inspire others along the way!

So much more to share next week! Join me on Pink-Tutu.com on Wednesday for my next exciting Prague Post

And in the meantime, keep it pink and let's bring the tutus to the world!

Bisous,

Emma xxx

P.S. What's your favourite tutu memory? Share it with me in the comments section! Let’s keep the pink tutu inspiration flowing!