We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

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PEOPLE AND GROWING

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The people of Dundee are the most welcoming and Dundee is amazing 🙂

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The creative resilience of the people. And how much I still like a peh.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Nothing. I've always loved the city and the people in it. There's a lot of genuinely nice and helpful people on the city despite the image that is often portrayed by other parts of Scotland. There's nowhere in Scotland that I'd rather live.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee rep have been at the leading edge of regional theatre for as long as I can remember. I grew up with so many great productions that I didn't realise how special they were and how lucky I was until I moved away from the city. It's not so much a hidden secret as a treasure hidden in plain sight, so much a part if the Dundee landscape that its easy to forget what a truly amazing resource it is.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As a Fifer now living in Perth I have watched Dundee grow into a vibrant city.It has so much to offer not just shopping but good restaurants and many interesting places to visit but my favourite place is the McManus Gallery and Museum.It's a stunning building with many interesting exhibits.I would also like to mention the DJCAD Degree show which is held in May, it's a fantastic opportunity to see all the talented students,their amazing work and to get a chance to wander around the University
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved back to Dundee because of the emerging visual art scene. It is fresh and different from anything I have encountered elsewhere - guaranteed humour and good times! Brilliant live art has emerged from this city - including Gammamoth Institute, Pester + Rossi and Ganghut
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As a girl who moved around all my life, from the middle east, to scandinavia, to Africa and only came to Dundee for uni, I am constantly amazed that the 1000th time walking down Perth Road I can fall in love with Dundee over and over again. The sunshine, the buildings, the Uni,the people, the city. I think it's amazing that Dundee can be a home to a girl who come's from nowhere!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A walk up the law never gets old.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Not only is Dundee a sunny City which manages to mix historic and modern very well, it's also a friendly City. No matter where in the City you are - the Centre, Broughty Ferry, St. Mary's, no-one will leave you feeling lost or lonely. I've lived in many areas within the City and felt at home in each at different times. Dundee also has it's own weather system where the climate and temperature can be vastly different only 5 miles apart. There's so much of interest in Dundee, I'm still learning new stuff about my City after 40 odd years. I wouldn't live anywhere else!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee Blues Bonanza and the huge amount of live music available every weekend in the city's pubs.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people of Dundee are the most generous and friendly people any where, and for all the bad press it gets there are hundreds of good people who get no press who do fab work ,the diversity of culture and creed never ceases to amaze me either,and the ability for other cultures to not only be welcomed in Dundee ,but to flourish should be recognised ,Oh not forgetting the Dandy and the Beano ...Oor Willie and the Broons fae Glebe street ...
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How much it has improved over the last five years!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The fantastic architecture in the city centre - it is easy to just walk past without looking up and seeing the beautiful buildings.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It is so welcoming!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The cherry blossom 'avenue' in full bloom at Dawson Park. Its beauty surprises me every year and it is a reminder that spring has finally arrived!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Love watching the skaters in Dudhope Park (lamenting my complete lack of balance)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The rich cultural diversity of the city, particularly in the West End is an unexpected delight and the refurbished McManus Gallery is full of treasure.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a bustling, vibrant city but you can still walk down the High Street and expect to see a familiar face. It is a mixture of old and new, exciting and reflective, multi-cultural and friendly. You can sit and stare at the fabulous panoramic view over the river and a stranger will offer you a sweetie and a "bit chat." A wonderful Uni and an art house movie theatre sit next door to an awesome chippy and beautiful church. It's hard to live far from Dundee!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Once apon a time, I was that little Dundonian school girl who had a dream to be a famous dancer, every week I popped up to the local tayside ballet to follow my dream, one day I auditioned for the top dancing school In the country and to my surprise I was accepted,Dundee council generously offered to pay my fees to attend, THE DANCE SCHOOL OF SCOTLAND, not knowing that I would also be accepted to one of the leading ballet schools in the world, ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET, once again Dundee was there to support me, now I'm a choreographer.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> IT's people
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love Dundee it's everything a city should be but with a friendly village atmosphere. No matter where you are in this city you are never more than 20 mins away from great shops , the beach or the countryside ! We have world class education , amazing facilities , art all around us and the best people. Dundonian women are a true inspiration , lets face it even Winston Churchill refused to take them on !
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is indeed a wonderful place to be. The cutural diversity seen in Dundee made me feel I was reaching the entire world in minutes. The two universities (Dundee and Abertay) champions the unity in diversity seen there.
The site of the collapsed tay bridge and the relatively new tay road bridge (longest in the world at that time) are worth mentioning.
Another stunning suprise was to discover the area where the pretigious missionary Mary Slessor and her family lived when they moved to Dundee. Her role in stopping the killing of twin babies in Calabar, Nigeria is remembered till this day. With these and many more, I hereby recommend Dundee to host the UK's city of Culture 2017. Thank you
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The thing I like about my city is walking through a wonderful diversity of shops in the centre of town, then five minutes on any bus takes me to the outskirts of of the town to a marvelous countryside that surrounds us with the River Tay flowing past on the other side
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The remarkable fund-raising achievements of its citizens for cancer research and medical equipment. It's many unsung medical, scientific and social pioneers eg Thomas Maclagan, James Bowman Lindsay and Mary Lily Walker. The past European successes of its football teams epitomise how so often Dundee punches well above its weight. The gradual eradication of multi-storey buildings is an indication of the city rediscovering its architectural heritage.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Une ribambelle de petits pinguins sur un mur et un magnifique musée!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people! Our communities are our best asset.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The shining river Tay in all its moods and the 2 bridges that span it. We also enjoyed the dolphins swimming round the children in Broughty Ferry.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundonians are immensely proud of their city and the know how to celebrate its achievements. When Dundee United clinched the Premier League title back in '83 by beating their local rivals, Dundee FC, it was no surprise that both sets of fans celebrated into the small hours.
In what other city would this have happenned?
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Two universities, a college, galleries, great pubs with live music, home of Oor Wullie and The Broons but has Desperate Dan and a dragon stalking its streets - what's not to like..?
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Diversity
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> From the small grassroots voluntary arts organisations to the organisations, teams and Directors of the city's notable arts venues, to business that invests and sponsors culture in Dundee. Everyone has a voice and space to discuss, join in and start up. Its an inclusive city where art and culture are not out of bounds or highbrow, its open to anyone.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is the city I grew up in and it is a fantastic place, and I miss it now I live and work in Glasgow. The language in Dundee is just brilliant; from aninineenanaw to the only sentence in the English language with no consenants, I e' I' a' (I ate it all!).
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The beauty of the Tay.  We have a outstanding feature that most other Scottish cities do not have.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> i love the peace in dundee
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I am constantly surprised by additional facts about Dundee and Dundonians; from the Neolithic to the space age, Dundee has hidden its light under a bushel, and needs to be recognised for the amazing place it is.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is situated in a beautiful location. Easy access to Angus Perth and fiFe. No other town I know of. Has such a perfect Location
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I think we have great potential to visitors and locals in that there are great closie tours of Victorian and medeaval histories. Stuart Walker does these tours and could speak for ages on the history of Dundee but we don't do enough of these tours and promote our own town. We could do more and shout about our town from the rooftops but tend to hide and don't push ourselves enough.
Dundee folk don't shout about their town and what it has, like the Macmanus Galleries, The Unicorn, The Discovery. Up wi the bonnets of Bonnie Dundee!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a city of great cultural richness, but the area in which I feel it excels is that of theatre. Both professionally, with the ensemble at Dundee Rep, and in the amateur field, Dundee presents an amazing variety of theatrical performances. Recent amateur productions include "Cats", "The Sound of Music" and "Whistle Down the Wind" with "Miss Saigon School Edition", "Parade" and "Spamalot" still to come this year. Absolutely fabulous darling! l
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The annual Coldside Community Forum Fun Day- held every July in Hilltown Park. Great day out. Lots to do. Come along.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have always been surprised by the richness, diversity and quality of the Dundee music scene. I was brought up in Arbroath so when I was a young teenager, it was difficult to get to Glasgow and Edinburgh for gigs. However, I was never deprived of music as a result of this. I was always just a short bus ride away from experiencing my favourite bands or hearing incredible new live music, be it in small pubs or larger venues. I eventually went on to study in the city, and although I will graduate and leave Dundee this year, it will always hold a special place in my heart as the city that nurtured my love of music.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Spend the week in the bustling city centre at the McManus Galleries or shopping in the Overgate and the weekend with the family at Camperdown Park or Discovery Quay. There is always something to do!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The fact that it is geographically ideal. Within 90 minutes of the other three major cities, 20 minutes to the Angus Glens and 20 minutes to St. Andrews. Experience the city, experience the countryside, experience the coast, experience the golf, experience Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Being among the first to see amazing new children's films at Discovery Film Festival, eating fudge donuts from Fisher &amp; Donaldson and meeting so many welcoming, funny, inspiring people. Every time I get a funny look from someone outside of the city when I tell them I live in Dundee it makes me proud to say it's a truly great place to be.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee FC and Dundee United FC. Two senior football clubs situated only a couple of hundred yards apart. A rare football derby where supporters of both football clubs can meet in the pub both before and after the match without any trouble.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The sunny weather.
The SPECTACULAR setting on the River Tay.
The world class Universities.
The rich history. Even Glasgow doesn't have its own stone circle.
The mince roll.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Everytime I look for help for a project within the creative community, be it volunteers or advice/expertise, I always receive support.
The people's justified optimism and community spirit make me super proud to have made Dundee my home.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The richness and diversity of the arts and culture; the burgeoning technology industry and the determined spirit of the locals.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Came to Dundee as a student in 1993 and decided to make it home - a small, friendly City with an abundance to do and entertain - from theatre at the Rep, to events for the whole family at the DCA and McManus Galleries. Whether your passion is for music, film, science, art, theatre or literature, there is something for everyone in this wonderful little city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The greatest hidden secret relating to the City at the moment is George McCann's EBook, entitled, The Eight Hale Mary's of Dundee, Scotland
The book essentially refers to the inspiration for it, which is a set of statues located on the rooftop of the McManus Art and Museum Galleries, originally the Albert Institute. The book delves into the history of Dundee prior to the Institute being built. The architect George, Gilbert Scott, is a central character. The story follows the progress of Muirfield Contracts, who carried out the latest refurbishment, and collates details of interesting artefacts within and surrounding the building. An 1860s Sanitary inspector is in the tale, as are local conditions and worldwide events taking place at the time. The ancient Howff cemetery and the associated Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee command considerable space. The future of Dundee is left in the hands of those who will oversee it.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The wealth of artistic talent that is in and around Dundee is so vast, but Dundee should be proud of it's efforts to educate the people of Dundee in all forms of the arts, especially through the Universities, Colleges and Schools of Our Proud City.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The magnificent views from the Law Hill of the river and the surrounding hills.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city is full of diversity. I was a student there, and there is an ingrained culture and inherent creative spirit of learning which really makes it a place you love.

The DCA is a hub of film and creativity. The local pubs and restaurants build up the atmosphere. The history of comic books and journalism. The old factories and the production of Jute.

It's a city that will stay with you long after you leave.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Location, Location, Location!
Dundee has the most magnificent setting on the banks of the Tay.
Visit Reres Hill in the Ferry - with Queen Victoria's 1887Jubilee Arch, a carpet of daffodils in April and always wonderful views from the top.
I love living in Dundee!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> What has surprised me recently about Dundee and makes me proud to be a Dundee boy, is our ability to realize and act upon our ever growing potential as one of Britain's main culture hub's.

With things like the West Fest charitable community culture festival that kicks off on the 18th of May aboard HM Frigate Unicorn. The festival harnesses and celebrates our many unique talents and attributes as a tight nit society!

It is things like this that makes me and many others love my home city!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a very peaceful, homogenous and beautiful city. You can go round the town at any time of the day and feel safe. Just love it.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'm not a Dundonian I'm from over the bridge in Fife but I've visited Dundee many many times since I was a child. It was always where we chose to go 'on a proper shopping day out'. Over the years I've seen so many changes to this wonderful place. I loved it when I was a kid but I remember it looking quite dated, its now having an overhaul and being sympathetic to some important features unique to the city, it really is starting to look the part. Dundee definately deserves its place as a city of culture.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> When I came to Dundee to work I was surprised by how much research and innovation happens here. From leading the way in computer games to science-defying developments in medical science it's amazing the talent and skill that is based here.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is one of the sunniest cities in the UK and has a rich history and culture kept alive daily by the humble Dundonian. Lying on the North shores of the Firth of Tay with two leading Universities, a teaching hospital and home to large businesses like Alliance Trust, Michelin and NCR as well as a host of other multinational and local businesses Dundee is a great place to live. The cultural quarter with museums, theatres and restaurants and the upcoming V&amp;A at Dundee make Dundee a worthy contender for City of Culture 2017.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The most stunning waterfront in Europe. Looking towards the west at any time, absolutely incomparable experience.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> For me it has everything I'd want in a city, good nightlife, restaurants, culture and shopping. It is also centrally positioned to the big two (Edinburgh and Glasgow) as well as ideally situated for my daily commute to Aberdeen for work. If the estuary could be dredged/lowered to allow easier (non-tidal) access for more offshore vessels and possibly build an offshore business hub on the harbour for oil and gas jobs it would indeed be perfect
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The fantastic variety of theatre and music events, not only by 'professional' performers, but also talented 'amateurs'. I lived in several cities in Europe and have never come across so many musical and drama groups and societies in a city. You can not only be a spectator, but also participate! Personally, I love Opera and in Dundee I have had the opportunity to sing in Verdi and Mozart operas - a fantastic experience. And then go and see professional companies perform music you have got to know well yourself gives your everyday life and work a fresh perspective. Lovely people, beautiful place, great opportunities.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a city in the middle of the most beautiful countryside. I love going my business about the city and suddenly getting a glimpse of the snow capped Sidlaws, the sun sparkling on the Tay, or the green hills of Fife. And in what other city can you spot red squirrels or watch seals sunbathing on a sandbank just metres away?
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Both born and bred dundonians, and the people who have chosen to live here all have a great outlook and sense of community spirit which is great to be a part of.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Beautiful green areas, lovely views from different areas over the river Tay. The people are lovely! Never knew how much it has to offer - actually thinking of moving there from Kent!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The community spirit of Dundee echoes all over the city as friendly and familiar faces are met frequently in unexpected ways, supporting the locals' idea that "Dundee is a small world". The feeling that the people all have the same ties to each other and the place itself gives a unique character to the city. Even people who have not lived in Dundee for a particularly long time find deep attachments to the city and its people, proving that Dundee is more than a hometown - it's a home.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> My strongest memories from growing up in Dundee are tangled in the city's wildlife, and the spaces that allow it to thrive.

I loved feeding the ducks, and netting for stickle-backs at Stobsmuir Ponds, watching the annual transformation of tadpoles into frogs in Baxter Park, catching crickets in the long grass at the Den O'Mains, seeing lazy seals basking on the sand banks under the rail bridge over the Tay, watching peaceful herons resting in low branches over the Dighty Burn and visiting the stately swans at Broughty Ferry beach.

The many beautiful parks and waterways in the city, and the beaches and walkways along our incredible river, provide spaces for wildlife to thrive and for our communities to come together.

I think all Dundonians share a strong connection to the Tay, the Law, Camperdown and the parklands across the city. These places are woven into our group identity. While they aren't always stumbled upon by outsiders, they are an important part of our cultural heritage and yet another reason why Dundee is a brilliant place to live!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How it has improved since I was a student there in '60s
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is vibrant with a historic combination of post-industrial feel coupled with an exciting new and positive outlook. The cultural heritage of the Tay, the UKs largest river by volume, and its gateway to the iconic mountains of scotland give it a unique feel. Being new to Dundee and having fresh eyes, the thing that strikes me most is the friendliness and desire to get things right. This includes ambitious plans for sustainable futures, and a University that is at the heart of ideals for transformation.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Where would the city of Dundee be without it's truly inspiring son? William Mcgonagall: Often referred to as the worst poet by many.

"When the moon is fair and roond
Aw the fishes swim fae Ayr tae Troon
When the moon is roond and fair
Aw the fishes swim from Troon tae Ayr"

Truly the worst but also the best poet to have ever lived.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I visited Dundee this past January-February for the first time, and was amazed by its rejuvenation. I stayed at the Alberta Guesthouse, which was run by a lovely and very homey-artistic duo of John and Hazel. There's something very different about it. I was there for my bday, and hazel made me handmade cuff links without knowing me very well. An amazing and artistic bed and breakfast. Truly outstanding.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love that even in this vibrant, creative and exciting city you can also relax and enjoy a walk along the river. I love trying to spot seals on the sand banks, listening to the shrill cries of oyster catchers to see and the smell of the sea as I walk along with the Tay gently lapping on the sea wall.

You can also enjoy dolphin watching trips from Broughty Ferry in the summer.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Planning student at the University of Dundee. The city has changed so much in the space of less than a century from industrial to culturally-orientation. V&amp;A, DCA, The Waterfront, Discovery, McManus are only tips of a very large iceberg.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee City of Discovery, what an apt name.
There is beauty and history at every turn. A magnificent waterfront that has all the history attached to ancient ships for example the discovery, Captain Scott of the Antarctic ship.
Beautiful art galleries and a wonderful museum.
Dundee is a thriving city on the move.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The green spaces, the parks and grassy fields inside the city. The ease of access to open countryside and stunning views. Fife looks great from Dundee!

The great variety of shops and cafés in the city. I appreciate the large number of independent coffee-houses as well as the bigger brands.

The history of innovation and scientific discovery, coupled with the more well-known comic book element make Dundee unique. The centres of learning do a great job of sending out folks well-prepared for professional life.

It's a lovely city with great potential!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The riverside is one of my most iconic places in Dundee. I jog the side anytime of the day as I experience a chilling and breezy experience from the Tay water. I know this is an obvious asset but it's not what you get everywhere.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'm not a Dundonian - but love staying here. I do wish the locals knew what they had and could appreciate it though. Dundee is a braw place!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The architecture across the city is beautiful. From Morgan Academy (my personal favourite!) to Custom's House and the old D.R.I. They are stunning examples of design and construction!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Cofaidh 's Ceilidh (Coffee and a blether)
This is a group of gaelic speaking people, both learners and fluent, who meet fortnightly in the Dundee Repertory Theatre on a Saturday afternoon. It is an opportunity for fluent/native speakers to keep their language alive and to help learners use the language which they feel is part of their heritage. It also attracts those in the surrounding area who have an interest in the gaelic language.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There are beautiful views across the silvery tay with twinkling lights on the bridges at night even more beautiful from the Law Hill monument where you can see across the magnificent sights of the picturesque Bonnie Dundee. We also have buildings which have the wow factors such as morgan academy and mcmanus gallery and other beautiful features such as Discovery .
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Reading Rooms - consistently one of the best clubs in the UK and a veritable institution which continues to keep the torch burning for underground music. Little known fact - its predecessor Homeless was voted one of the top 15 clubs in the world by `The Face', at the time the most influential style magazine. What's surprising - it has survived when all the odds had suggested it shouldn't. The heart and soul of weekend nights in Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The cultural diversity for such a small city
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The range of independent shops, the great work going on at both universities and the focus on education in general.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A Californian native, born and raised, I've made my way over to Dundee to attend university, and I can't even begin to describe my fascination with this little gem of a city. I've never resided in a more genuine, unpretentious place. Dundee presents itself at face value, and exists in its stubborn manner of take me as I am or don't take me at all. Meeting new people, I'm familiar with their immediate reaction of, "Why on earth would you leave California for Dundee??" but I'm content and thrilled to be in this city of dialect so thick I can hardly decipher it on the best of days. Because after two years of living here, I can't imagine walking down the street and not being able to ask the kilted man if he's a true Scotsman.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It is a very historic place with many nooks and crannies to be sought out.
Great walks - I particularly like the walks around the old streets down to Magdalen Green and back into the City centre on a good day.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> After more than a decade in Cambridge, I moved to Dundee on Sep 2013. I was reluctant at first, however its quirky charm has fascinated me. It is a welcoming place where people on the street greats you when you pass by, where the sharing of arts and human intellect is in the air. The breathtaking views, the DCA, the McManus, the discovery point, the multitude of independent coffees and restaurants, the vibrant atmosphere, the fresh and buzzing confidence of the waterfront redevelopment. Dundee is a unique place, to me culture is all around.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> That we sit on a rift valley, with Dundee on one side of the rift, and Fife the other: there really is an age between one side of the tay estuary and the other!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The hidden secret is Dundee itself. Before moving to Dundee for work, one of my former colleagues expressed candid surprise at my decision to move from Southeast England. She said she had been to Dundee, and that it was not a very nice place. After having spent almost a year here, I can say she was utterly wrong. The city is one of emergent wealth, thriving because of several factors -- lively students, vibrant arts, beautiful outdoors, surprisingly sunny weather . . . The city is well connected by bus, rail and air.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> After living in another area I now realise how much I miss my home town. Proud to say I am a Dundonian!!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The observatory on Balgay Hill- its a gem and free to visit!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have been coming to Dundee since my students days in the 1980's. My favourite places still include Sunrise from the Law, seeing the city from the Tay Bridge, arriving by train along the river with the Tay silvery in winter sunlight. More recently the upgrading around The McManus gallery and the quality of exhibitions it attracts - I have a particular soft spot for this part of the city as My 5 * Great-Grandfather has a statue there and I recently found out that it was partly funded by the people he employed - inspirational at the time?
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Great location for walkers, runners and cyclists, productive and unique art and music scene, cosy corners in the phoenix and art bar, lovely wee tea and cake shops, great parks to explore on a sunny day, we get plenty here!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There is so much to see in this small city which is the home to the Beano and the Dandy
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> it is a much more vibrant place to live and work than people expect and is full of wonderful surprises
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Nothing is "normal" about Dundee. Having lived there for 4 years at university, the thing that most surprises me is the notion so many Scottish people have of the place: "Dundee? That's a dump" being the consensus of nearly 100% of those who've never been. The lovely secret held by those who have is that it is one of the most wonderfully inviting, absorbing, positive, encouraging, resourceful and accepting small cities in the world. Do we really want to share that secret? Oh, go on then!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Theatrical elements of the cultural life in Dundee only exist due to the hard working off stage volunteers (and staff) who spend time on committees, creating costumes, making scenery, dealing with the admin, fundraising, marketing and lots of other tasks.  They are often under appreciated.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Spent four amazing years at the duncan of jordanstone. Met some amazing people. Dundee is an inspiring and creative city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Great deals for students
Huge amounts of diversity across all sectors of the city
brilliant cafes and restaurants
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There is so much in the city that encourages people of all ages to get creative in some way. We have great things available for 'budding artists'. My 3 year old loves the DCA activity room and the workshops at the creative learning space at the McManus. Plus they are all free! The award of City of Culture would inspire our future generations.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has always been a place where people just do it, just make art, just make culture happen, just work together, just get on with bringing art to the city in new ways with funding or without. The energy and vibrancy of the like of Generator, Yuk and Yum, and Duncan of Jordanstone and countless other initiatives large and small have shown that over the years. Whether it wins the bid or not, Dundee will be a city of culture in 2017, and every year. Good luck!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is amazingly clean when compared to other cities.
My wife is from Liverpool and her first comment on visiting Dundee for the first time was how well presented it is.
There are hidden gems everywhere like the nature walk between the Esplanade and railway in Broughty Ferry, and Duntrune Garden in Dawson Park.
And there are few things better than watching the dolphins in the Tay on a glorious summers morning.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> having lived in the city off and on for sixty years, the Dundee of today is evolving into a modern 21st century city. Twenty years ago, that seemed unbelievable....
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has many cultural assets but none richer or more surprising than its people. Resilient, honest and acute in their analysis of events, cultural phenomena and ephemera that impress themselves, so urgently, upon less doubtful populations, their creativity is all the more authentic as a result.
Expressed through a distinctive dialect, Dundee wit is like a silk lining on a coat made of jute. It can be rough but is ultimately comforting and made of the finest material. Dundee is changing but let's hope we keep the essence of what makes Dundee the place it is.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> magdalen green
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The way that Dundee's communities embrace creativity as a tool to bring people together, to break down barriers and to look positively at what the future might hold.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee people are peaceful and loving people
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The arts scene in Dundee is not simply a matter of excellent facilities, strong grass-root commitment, and the way the size and mix of the city encourages participation: it regularly features artists and performers of international importance: see the history of performances for Dundee Chamber Music and shows at DCA. We have seen the same work featured in DCA and in the Venice Biennale; we have heard the same performers in the Caird Hall and in Alice Tully Hall, NYC. Also, Caird Hall is a major recording venue for classical record companies, such as Philips and Chandos.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> This is a city where what you do feels noticed and appreciated. Dundee has an encouraging and supportive atmosphere for creative ventures and isn't afraid to be itself! Places like Creative Dundee, Tin Roof, Hot Chocolate Trust, The Rusty Hip Collective, Generator Projects, Flyboy Productions and Art Angel are great examples of people setting up their own thing and connecting with our community together. So happy to live here!!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'm in Oslo today.. for some reason I found myself telling people about mcgonagle's 'silvery tay' and how you can read the poem as you walk along the riverside. I miss Dundee!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city it's self is very diverse. There are people from all over the world. The surprising thing is the amount of art's and culture events which are going on, there is world class art at the McManus gallery's, soon there will be a V&amp;A too. There is a live music scene all over the city, and also a media scene from Comic books to photography. These areas are all influenced by the different nationalities within.

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