:: We Dundee

We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

2791

PEOPLE AND GROWING

Long history of Dundee. Battle & Casstle at mid age.At modern age, industrial revolution- jute jam and journalism,antarctic expedition, research ( life science, gaming, surgical & anaesthetic instruments)– in a sentence- a city of discovery , a city of innovation. At present Dundee is a member of best 21 itellectual communities in this world.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> That the Tay looks different many times each day - and always beautiful.

<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> Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design continues to 'fleh heh' as one of Britain's Top 5 art schools, but paradoxically remains a hidden gem, both locally and nationally.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> In terms of a walk from edge to edge of town, there is an amazing variety of specificities.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Rusty Hip is a Dundonian music collective that organizes gigs, writes zines and keep people informed about upcoming music and art events in the city. Rusty Hip had their first event last month and over 250 people turned up in the freezing cold to have a good time. The event was held in Tin Roof, an arts collective and studio space also based in Dundee. The existence of these two organisations has added to the growing number of organisations that make Dundee a city full of culture.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the art scene, the nightlife and the underground music scene

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's amazing how much of a hidden history and the many people who have a connection with the city especially through literature, entertainment, music, sport & media.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It is simply a stunning place to live, with incredible views and access to nature and wilderness on your doorstep, but all the history and vibrancy of an ancient and thriving city. The people are warm and canny with an eye always open for progress they can believe in.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has amazing cultural and geographic attributes but its chief strength is its people with their unique sense of humour and caring attitude to each other that I have not encountered anywhere else in my travels all over the world.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Great musicians, poets and artists working in an exciting environment.

<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> The heart of the city to me is the university of Dundee and the Duncan of Jordanstone. Even before I was a student I was impressed by how it was a self-contained area and I enjoyed the atmosphere and diversity of life all along the Perth Road. In the summertime there are always new faces and this breathes new life into the city. It's a creative, buzzing place.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It is bloody windy!!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city's inhabitants make you feel at ease even though know little about what going on your own life

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The accent!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The best thing about Dundee that you will never find anywhere else in Europe is our football, the closest grounds in Europe and win, lose or draw, there will always be friendly rivalry (or banter) yes we will wind each other up, but fans can still drink in the same pubs before and after the match, our fans are disciplined, #fact - welcome to Dundee where equality is happy!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Since returning to Dundee after an absence of 30 years I have been truly amazed at the can do attitude of the people here and the extraordinary determination to transform the city, which despite all the challenges, is bearing fruit. What is being achieved by Dundee is an example for all to follow and if awarded UK City of Culture status will fully merit the honour and Dundee will do justice to it benefiting not just Dundee and its surrounds but all of the UK. I've worked in cities round the world but none have the spirit of Dundee.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Speedwell bar - from the outside it looks a little grotty and like the kind of place you'd pass by in favour of a more modern pub, but when you get inside, it's atmosphere (and amazing whisky selection) completely distract you from any misgivings you may have initially had. A really wonderful example of a little old man pub that is totally accesible to anyone who wants to stop in!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> so many wonderful things about a city always looking towards the future of discovery. whether its art (v&a), music (rustyhipcollective) or science (research centre) dundee has it all!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Dundee University campus holds an incredible vibe about it. I remember first starting university and being completely awed by the atmosphere always surrounding the campus and the community spirit of the university. Whether it's your freshers week, a random night out, or even cramming at the library, the fact that all the uni's institutions are contained in this one campus means the place has a constant buzz about it. I doubt there's many other universities that hold the same exciting atmosphere.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> At 18 I came to Dundee to rule it out as a uni option. I quickly got lost, where (in the pouring rain) a woman went out of her way and escorted me to the nearest bus stop for Ninewells. That was 1986. I am from Edinburgh. Dundee just felt right, its people with their strange accents are uber-friendly, and I have been here ever since. Dundee is now home.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Everything is walkable within an hour. Up the law, Balgay park, great views. Serenity of the Houff cemetery city center. Along Perth road to Invergowrie/ Kingoodie for the botanic gardens or carry on to the quarry. From the docks along the waterfront to Broughty Ferry, much more but only 100 words.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's interesting that many people who come here to study end up making a real effort to stay.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have lived out of this great City for 25 years, visit as often as I can, and now I'm heading home.

It's Dundee's time and I for one don't want to miss it. If any City deserves it's place in the world and recognition for it's contribution, for all manner of wonderful reasons, then here's my vote.

'Dundee is like a light across my heart' - Michael Marra.

This covers it for me.

Good luck Dundee. You deserve it.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city is beautiful with a rich history. Amongst the lovely sights to see are the ship "Discovery" and the Jute museum. The River Tay is a beautiful sight to see from the Tay bridge especially at night. The people are warm and always offer you the nice scottish hospitality and you often get to see many of the men in traditional Scottish kilt. The University Of Dundee offers a diverse mix of cultures from across the globe which blend with the eclectic mix of the old and the new that is The City Of Dundee.

<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> Creative, vibrant & friendly city

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has gone through an incredible creative regeneration. With the imminent arrival of V&A, the refurbishment of McManus and a flourishing dance community, the city has an abundance of creativity. It's already a City of Discovery. A city ready and well poised to further discover it's creative future. Bring on the City of Culture!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> great views of the Tay, history of the discovery

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dawson Park ~ where everyone can go thru out the day and do their thang ~ dog walkers, ,joggers, runners, schoolchildren doing sports with their school, dog walkers, keen gardeners, after school hanging out, dog walkers, sports clubs ~ a great green place with good facilitles for everyone

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have travelled to many parts of the world and been lucky enough to have seen some amazing places. However, each time I return home, there is nothing quite like walking with my family and dogs along the 'Grassy Beach' and I think how lucky I am to live where I do.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> That I always want to go back. Having had the intention of going to Dundee and getting out as soon as possible, but the combination of arts, design and regeneration leaves me seeking a return every time I leave.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The many great things this small city has produced that have changed life for the btter not only in scotland but the world over

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Student life - having spent 4 years there is a culture seldom seen at larger universities where all of the students socialise together regardless of course or faculty and this also transfers into fitting into the City. There is a pride in alumni that I have never seen from other university graduates.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Whilst I don't claim to know Dundee well enough to comment on the 'hidden secrets', I do plan to move there and find them out. What I like about Dundee is that it is not too big, is walkable in and around, has a lovely waterfront location and is brimming with potential. There are some cracking restaurants and lovely vistas all across the city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee City Council's Housing Support Team.
We are still fairly unknown even by our tenants but can help with a wide range of problems to do with people's tenancies

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I am amazed by the vibrancy of the arts community in and around Dundee. and feel proud to have many of these artists as my friends. I came to the area to restore a ruined Baronial castle to the north of the city, in an attempt to bring back built heritage from the brink. However. so impressed have I been with the artists in the area, I would love to make the castle a cultural centre as well ... perhaps for 2017?

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The dogs in the Campbeltown Bar, secret gigs at the Tin Roof Art studio or the recycling center, the stenciled graffiti that pops up every now and again.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its constantly changing and for the better.

There is always plenty to do throughout the city and surrounding area's whether its entertainment in the city centre and the Caird hall, or taking in the sights and sounds of the surrounding countryside at Camperdown park, templeton woods and the sidlaws. Dundee has an amazing back drop which should flourish and be appreciated over the coming years.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The hidden gems that are not often publicised. Duncan Of Jordanstone produces so much artistic talent not often known about. Landscape is beautiful and there are many open spaces.
Shopping Culture and Entertainment is vibrant in this city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's setting is utterly stunning, its history is fascinating, its people warm, friendly and honest. From art galleries to community theatre, Dundee's cultural scene is growing and blossoming. What a fantastic choice Dundee would be for City of Culture 2017.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How, nearly twenty years since it changed beyond recognition, I can still hear the noises, smell the smells and feel the atmosphere of The Shed at Tannadice.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a very clean city with no rubbish lying around. You can be sure that wherever in Dundee you choose to go for a walk whether it be in town or surrounding areas they are always clean and well cared for

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Twenty odd years ago I was first acquainted with Dundee as a part of the design team for the Discovery project and I now have a home just outside of the city. My main responsibility was the design of things on-board the ship itself which included the flock of sheep (not as big as it could have been) on the shore, etc. It was a period of great energy and creativity, but was grounded in solid research.
At that time there was a lot of talk about how good things in the city could be, and most of it has happened plus a lot more. The later things such as the V&A are an extension of that vision for culture whilst not loosing sight of the past. This is the core of Dundee.
The whole place has a 'life' to it and all of its attractions are not only for visitors, but are of relevance to all who live there.
I am thinking in particular of the McManus, the DCA & the Rep'. It has a dynamic student population and a world class Art & Design School in The Duncan of Jordanstone.

The proposed long term plan for the waterfront looks as though it should work well, and take advantage of the truly wonderful river aspect. But whilst I am glad to see the back of the Council Tower, various blocks of flats & the Olympia pool, the Railway station & the ex Stakis/Hilton might be a loss in terms of architectural progression - not all '70ies was bad.

The Unicorn needs to be integrated much more into the scheme of things, it is a gem, and perhaps a museum of transport and the docks, should be considered, in particular as unlike at a lot of other places, the docks still work.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The general community spirit and atmosphere created both daily and nightly through the city's people, places and attractions.

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