Culture

Lockdown life: Ballerinas in the Czech Republic

Prague, Apr 21, EPA/EFE, (Camera: Martin Divisek).- The shutdown of public activity in the Czech Republic has forced all non-essential workers into home confinement, but for ballet dancers whose profession requires a rigorous daily exercise routine, these new restrictions pose real obstacles to staying fit. Authorities have started slowly easing some of the restrictions, meaning the dancers have been allowed to return to some group trainings. The Czech National Ballet has already suffered heavily due to the shutdown and the consequent loss of performance revenue. But despite the economic gloom, the Ballet launched the “Dance Through It” initiative, which saw the theater put on a gala, broadcast live on national television and streamed online, to mark Easter Sunday.FOOTAGE OF MAGDALENA MATEJKOVA , SOLOIST OF THE CZECH NATIONAL BALLET, IN HER HOME DURING THE CONFINEMENT, INCLUDES SOUNDBITES.MAGDALENA MATEJKOVATranslations:1. "I have more time for things for which there is usually not so much time: reading books, cycling, cooking and especially in the family. My mother and sister are the only ones I have been seeing a lot of lately. But I miss the theater.2. "I miss the adrenaline, I'm looking forward to it. When I return to the stage and feel the butterflies in my stomach.3. "Every morning I try to stretch, exercise for a while and get some basic training, in my pointed shoes. Mostly I try to walk a lot and ride my bike."