We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

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PEOPLE AND GROWING

Support Dundee

having arrived here in 1997, many of our relatives said, “hhmmm…. and do you like dundee?” – almost as if they sympathised. now we wouldn’t live anywhere else. our children thrive here, my business is growing here and we love living here. (oh and the relatives in question are starting to realise why too!)

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Dundee Mountain Festival! Always a great joy to go to. We are very lucky to hear and be inspired by epic adventurers each year, with the beauty of the great outdoors on our doorstep to enjoy afterwards.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How much it has changed for the better since I was an undergraduate in 1978-1982!
<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&amp;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> How well Dundee is percieved and people love it after visiting. I have always known that Dundee was a great City and love showing visitors around our lovely City.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Watching the wonderfully wild sea life from the waterfront area, birds, seals and even dolphins. Breathing the fresh sea air and observing the weather rolling in.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a vibrant city, with so many exciting developments taking place. It is the obvious city to be the UK City of Culture 2017.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its marvelous setting
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> We have the two closest football grounds in europe
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has an energy all of its own - its hidden gem is it's people. The friendliest, funniest and liveliest that Scotland has to offer.
I lived six very happy years by the Tay and still think fondly of sitting out on Magdelene Green in Summer or taking refuge in the DCA for winter warmer or three.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Although I do not come from Dundee, I feel partly Dundonian, probably because the city has such a deep earthy culture to which I, and many can relate to. The city has been a hive of creativity for many years, and although not always obvious, just scratch the surface or ask a local and they will be more than happy to tell you just one story about the city. Of course, now, my daughter is Dundonian!
<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> As an "immigrant" to Dundee I am continually boosted by its determination to develop and improve what it offers to the community. So small a city but with amazing museums, science centre, galleries, parks, forests, beaches ...
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'm surprised there is not more opportunity taken by the council to have cultural events throughout the year. It is good to see the city developiong though and with the V&amp;A, the new City Square, etc., there is an opportunity to continue to develop a different side of the city. The City of Culture tag has done well for other cities it has attached itself to and would be a real boost for Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A history that could compare with any other major city
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How it changes so much but never really changes at all. I was born in Dundee but now live in Essex. The city changes with various buildings being demolished and new ventures being completed every time I visit. But as you walk through the crowds, you notice that the people don't change and there is a tremendous amount of loyalty that stretches back through generations. Dundonians are proud to be just that and that is something that will never change!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's main post office is just like any other - except James Chalmers, the inventor of the stamp, sleeps in the howff cemetry across the road.
Dundee was, and is, seat of innovation in printing, journalism, international adventure (although, as the Discovery shows, one way travel is considered a success!)
Posting or sailing you onwards, Dundee lead the way.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Magdalen Green Park. It is a spectacular park overlooking the river Tay. It's Dundee's oldest city park with an old victorian bandstand right in the middle. The experience to watch and listen the city band in a summer sunday is the most incredible thing I lived here.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The seals, dolphins, cormorants and all the other beautiful wildlife along our shores/sandbanks should not be forgotten about. AND it is Scotland's sunniest city!!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the seals hauled out on the sandbanks during low-tide in the Tay.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> We have some of the best live music in Dundee ! Currently on the go are; Anderson, McGinty, Webster, Ward and Fisher - The Boston Tea Party - The View - Deacon Blue - Ricky Ross - The Hazy Janes - Danny Wilson - Alan Gorrie - (AWB) Not forgetting those who are sadly no longer with us - The late Michael Marra - Dougie Martin and many many more!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I can't just write about one thing in particular, yet I feel that the University of Dundee and its many different events are vital to the city's culture growth. Talks, shows, films, the list is endless. I have been to many different events that have been planned by the university and/or Dundee Science Centre; Bright Club, Café Science, psychology talks, etc. The public engagement with science is excelsior, many members of the public mention the interest that has been sparked in relation to science.
I personally feel a great amount of pride and excitement knowing that I have been a part of this tremendous cultural growth and being able to contribute to this myself.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> dundee has an amazing sense of unity regardless of its many diverse cultures.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Too long the hidden gem, it is fantastic to witness Dundee shed its undeserved downtrodden image and become the vibrant, confident, culturally diverse and welcoming city it has always had the potential to be. If ever a city deserved the City of Culture title it is Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The local creatives and talented musicians who seek to be noticed. We have a lot of talented individuals and groups in Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Great theatre &amp; love McManus Galleries. Looking forward to continuing waterfront development - city is improving!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The public observatory on Balgay Hill with its wonderful moveable papiere mache dome....what a privilege....open to us all year round and costs next to nothing to visit and use.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a perfect sized city, where you can run into friends that you know often, unlike in bigger cities. Is also big enough that you can meet a vast variety of different people. 

Also the law hill is one of the most amazing places ever.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The willingness of people to support fledglings artists, people are passionate enough to offer their help and support for free!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Culture is more than just art, theatre and buildings it is also about history and social morals and I believe Dundee is second to none on these areas.
1777 Dundee Joseph Knight a “Negro” slave won his freedom from his master Wedderburn when he successfully argued that “slavery was not recognised by Scots Law and runaway slaves (or 'perpetual servants') could be protected by the courts, if they wished to leave domestic services or were resisting attempts to return them to slavery in the colonies”. This was in effect abolishing slavery 100 years before the UK Parliament.
Dundee also has Mary Slessor who moved from Aberdeen to Dundee at the age of 11, Lily walker and many many more who stood up against tyranny and injustice to change the political and moral culture of our city and our country to make it more caring and equal for all.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a small city...and yet full of surprises! It is a city of culture with culture hidden in every nook and cranny of the city. A hidden secret is the Dudhope Centre, Bharatiya Ashram which holds cultural events from around the world. They have the only Indian classical and Bollywood music and dance classes in the city and the group have performances all around the UK, particularly in Dundee. There are also Chinese and Indian lunch clubs, Bellydance and Martial arts classes which transform the Centre into a place where the creative buds are constantly buzzing!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I absolutely love that even in South East Asia people know who Dennis the Menace is and are even more impressed when they find out that he comes from Dundee.
<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> Dundee has contributed so much to the story of Britain. When it has done so it has done so without making a big noise about it. Dundee in its culture is hard-working, entrepreneurial, daring and resilient. Its character of modesty, coupled with its humanitarian and internationalist outlook, means that few outside Dundee appreciate what Dundee has done for Scotland, Britain, Europe and the wider world because Dundee has not boasted about it. Geographically, Dundee has been quite insular giving its culture a very distinct and individual character which, to the outsider can seem quite dark and obtuse, but humorously so!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> - Braithwaite's tea and coffee shop in Castle St
- Summer Sunday free brass band concert at Magdalen Green followed by drinks and food from one or more of the many bars and restaurants on Perth Rd
- The brilliant Dundee Blues Bonanza .... It introduced Home Bargains and the TJ Morris Company to the city!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city's walkability! The city is ideal for on foot exploration and has a number of great foot/cycle paths over to Fife, up the coast to Arbroath and into the Sidlaws. It's perfect for enjoying Dundee's unique microclimate - I reckon this is what makes the people so special!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Every time I walk by the McManus gallery staircase, I become 5 years old again - they are beautiful enough to belong in a fairy tale.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love Dundonian dialect :) Sometimes difficult to understand, but really intriguing and beautiful!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city of Dundee has to be one of the friendliest places I have been to. there is always a smile and a welcome and humour without the sarcastic aggressive tone that often goes with Scottish humour. Good luck Dundee URIT
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is always trying to make things happen with visions and plans that will take years to complete but the passion is clear to see. It is full of innovative and creative businesses and individuals that are putting the City on the map on an international level.

That coupled with an ideal location with access to amazing scenery right on our doorstep just makes Dundee ideal.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Over the last couple of decades Dundee has become a hub of creativity, not perhaps something which those not familiar with the city would realise immediately. There are exhibitions and arts events and festivals throughout the year ranging from the DJCAD degree show in May to the Light Night in November.
Dundee being a compact city, everything is accessible
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee was Scotland's second city for over 200 years and by area had Scotland's largest medieval city centre.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> What surprises me about Dundee is how little people living outsidethe City realise how much Dundee has changed over the years and what a fantastic place this is to live,work and visit. I have lived in Dundee all my life and have raised my family here and I would never have had it any other way.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Approaching Dundee over the Tay Rail Bridge has to be one of the best ways to arrive into any city in the country. The whole city is laid out before you. Before you reach the station, you'll see beautiful parks, the vibrant university, galleries and museums, modern architecture nestled amongst the old. It's exciting and breathtaking every time.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the fact that Dundee is changing so fast, that no place is safe from the scrutinizing look of whether it deserves to stay or make place for the new. Unloveable buildings are demolished and open spaces are created. Dundee is not in any way decadent or settled, nor is it burdened with too much that needs to be preserved or archived or mummified. It is in this way a place that is on the move, and that makes it an exciting and vibrant place to be.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The supports of Dundee United are a very well dressed bunch. Kudos! Dundee, more than any city I can think of, deserves this title. A boost is more than due!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> University of Dundee, people around me and beautiful views
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the tay
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Great quality of life - great little city with great access to countryside, beach, and bigger cities - best of all worlds. And it's the friendliest place I've ever lived. Lovely parks too, can't beat a sunny afternoon on Magdalen Green overlooking the sparkly Tay!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The music scene is great!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Reading Rooms in Dundee - different from everywhere in the city, hidden gem.
<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> Sunny weather
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I like it that the city is always clean and the flower beds are tidy in the winter and blooming in the summer months.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's exciting to live somewhere that feels like it just keeps getting more interesting, more diverse and more creative. I'm not a Dundee native but it feels like home.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has an amazing music scene with good venues for live music! We also have some amazing musicians, bands and artists! I am super proud to be a Dundonian.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is home to a great university that combines talents from multiple fields, including science and art, and when these talents and skills are combined amazing things happen! Dundee is small but productive and innovative!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The history of the city is fascinating
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a place of great opportunity. It is easy to get in touch with folk about an idea you have and to see it brought to life without too much red-tape. The support from The McManus, in launching Nomas* Projects has been invaluable and helped build a new platform for contemporary art, here in the heart of the city!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved here at the start of my degree almost 10 years ago and I'm still here, despite now studying in Aberdeen. Dundee is the best place to live. With its ideal location I can get to anywhere else in Scotland easily, and the links to the rest of the UK are fab too. The people in Dundee make it what it is, and it has its own individual character. You don't have to go far to find lovely areas like Magdalene Green or Baxter Park, and there's always some great architecture (old and new) lurking round the corner.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amount of things available at your doorstep; the beach, country walks and city life all in the one-day!

The art &amp; culture scene is something you can't ignore, it's unique and embraced by the people of Dundee in a very special way.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Scotland's Jute Museum at Verdant works.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The abundance of hope, positivity and generosity of spirit apparent across every part of this city
<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&amp;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 &amp; the Rep'. It has a dynamic student population and a world class Art &amp; 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 &amp; the Olympia pool, the Railway station &amp; 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 first thing that surprised and delighted me about Dundee was that it still has many of its old buildings and cobbled streets. It has a strong sense of history, but not in a way that holds it back. The historic city is cherished and involved, without sacrificing the space the new city needs to flourish.
Besides that, the support for the arts is obvious all over. This is most obvious in the city centre, and makes the space one that people care about - it's rare to find bollards, lamp-posts, benches and notice-boards that are all designed to be “nicer than they have to be" (to quote a friend).
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The sunsets over the River Tay. Every evening it's different, every evening it's spectacular.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee city is the safest city in all scotland and it is very clean and quite...it can be classified the one of first five cities in UK.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It appears to be a small city. That it is but it is filled with friendly people and has scenic treasures everywhere. Not many cities have the beauty of Dundee, the buzz of the university and kind people on every corner. Definite selling point is the sunset over the Tay; beautiful!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Ricky Flynn Memorial Bench on Daisy Hill in Baxter Park. A peaceful place in memoriam of a great kid. Morgan Academy pupil, Ricky Flynn was tragically killed in 2010 when he was struck by a taxi heading west along Kingsway East. His friends and family placed the memorial bench on the top of Daisy Hill which over looks Baxter Park and the Tay. A calm place to rest and reflect.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Fundee
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is given a bad name. Really the city is vibrant, bouncing and full of lots of little surprises. From the quaint coffee shops and boutiques to the busy night life of the city centre. The grandeur of the Caird Hall to the spectacular views from the top of the Law.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> For a city of Dundee's size there is a massive amout going on culturally and otherwise. The city is renowned for its medical teaching and innovative scientific research and also for the D of J college which produces some of the worlds finest artists. This, mixed with the ever evolving music scene makes Dundee a fantastic place to live and visit
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Every time I cycle into Dundee from Fife I get this feeling... THE BUZZ... When I first visited Dundee in 2007, I couldn't feel the buzz. I now go for regular day trips to return home feeling inspired and creative from the real &amp; lively encounters of the day. Nothing fake about Dundee!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> For me, a Fifer, having travelled to Dundee as a child, clubbed in Dundee as a teenager and now looking at Dundee on a daily basis, spending most of my money in Dundee as an adult, I'm constantly amazed by the growth of the city, the art in the city and the constantly vibrant atmosphere in Dundee. The V&amp;A coming, the waterfront project evolving is hugely exciting and can only improve everything for Dundee itself. My favourite things in Dundee are the DCA and the McManus, Maggies Centre, as well as the city's amazing history. Dundee has much to offer......
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There's always somewhere nice to go in the city. There's the museums, the galleries, the parks, the café's, the views; there's always something to do in this city! Coupled with the 2 fantastic universities and a diverse population you have a phenomenal city that I would be proud to have as my UK City of Culture 2017!
<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> Dundee has created amazing musicians, scholars and passionate people who have shaped the world.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> From Broughty Ferry to Discovery and the Law above - a blend of experiences with the River Tay shining through
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the hidden vaults below the city. I wish more people knew about them
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I enjoy the fact that the supporters of both big teams in the city get along so well before and after the Derby's in the local pubs. Both sets of fans want their team to win with a passion, but after the game they enjoy a pint and a chat together win,lose or draw.
<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> its that no matter where you are if you want a bit of quite space you will always find a bit of greenway anywere in the city
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Walking along the beach in broughty ferry on a warm summers day!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Lively city minutes from sea, sand, hills and glens.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has a strong musical heritage, encompassing a variety of styles and tastes. From musical societies and choirs, to singer song-writers and bands; from theatre concerts to open mic nights, there is rarely an evening in Dundee when lovers of good music will fail to be entertained. There is a vibrant live acoustic scene, showcasing Dundee's talent and banishing the karaoke culture of many other towns and cities. We have much to celebrate; not least Dundee's very own multi-instrumental 'Anderson, McGinty, Webster, Ward and Fisher' who last month were named 'Best New Scottish Band' at the Scottish Variety Awards.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have always found, throughout my creative life, spanning 30 years, an innate spirit of collaboration. A strong willingness to share, develop, foster belief, and support ideas, pulling together to produce all kinds of wonderful. Dundee is the City of Ideas.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love my city, even created my own blog dedicated to it, so my friends and relatives can find out more about this place.
<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 sits on a beautiful location comparable to some of the most stunning cities in the world. The excitement in the City of how this will be harnessed through the development of the Waterfornt is palpable. Dundonians are already proud people with a rich cultural heritage and we are all backing the changes in the City that will afford us even greater pride in where we live.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> GENRAL GRANT'S VISIT TO DUNDEE

When U.S. Grant paid a visit to my home town,
They spruced it up with a lick of paint
And then they showed him round,
Two bands played in fierce competition
As the rain came down,
And the General said, "What a mighty long bridge to such a mighty little ole town."

A man called Walsh hung from a window
With the Starts and Stripes,
And the orphan boys sang, "Alouette"
It was sweetness and light,
But as they sang the fire bell rang
And they ran for their lives,
"What well trained little orphans and a precious little song."
Said the General's wife.

A carriage was called to the Magdalen Green,
Before the darkness fell,
With a short stop over for the ladies convenience,
At the Royal Hotel,
And the General frowned through the last of the speeches
Though he took it well,
"What a pretty little bandstand, what lovely little steeple,
What charming little houses and such cheerful little people,
But what a mighty long bridge for such a mighty little ole town."

- Michael Marra.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How much has changed in the past 5 years and how much will change in the future.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> So much green space
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> its attitude to change. Its growing at a fast pace. its the new up and coming place to be as a design student.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Every day I'm pleasantly surprised and enthralled by the breadth, depth and richness of the cultural activities and endeavours of the people of Dundee. Not just the large, and growing, artistic, musical, theatrical and literary community but the ordinary people as well.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Groucho's. The shop itself ain't squirreled away, but unless you look for them, the treasures inside will elude you. A proper visit takes time, patience, an open mind and a well-honed record-rifling technique. Never mind Dundee - it's the only shop in Scotland a man can enter with no agenda and strut out like a champion, having bought an original, mint condition pressing of Bill Withers' seminal 1972 album "Still Bill", totally by accident.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I just love that it's cooler than everyone thinks when you dig a little deeper.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The scale and variety of world class activity that takes place in Dundee from cutting edge science to advanced digital media activity, from highbrow theatre and arts to community involvement in cultural activity. All that happening in a city where you can be on the beach in ten minutes, in the hills in twenty minutes and, if you must, skiing in around an hour.

I came for three years and now have clocked up a quarter of a century. Why live anywhere else?
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I loved the atmosphere in the new Caird square on a cold crisp winter evening after listening to the Dundee Symphony Orchesta in the Caird hall, coming down the steps and looking at the Christmas lights and the tree and the people in Henry's coffee house enjoying the view. I love Braithwaite's coffee shop and the Cheesery on Exchange street. Drouthy's and the jute cafe and Dukes corner, the art bar. The macmanus Gallery
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Frida Kahlo visited the Tay Bridge Bar (acc M Marra)... AND EVERYONE IS FRIENDLY!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love that Dundee is striving to improve and has so much to offer from Football at Junior &amp; Senior level,the Science Centre, Art at McManus &amp; DCA and a brilliant rep theatre. We're on the river, near beautiful beaches and countryside and a thriving city! Beautiful buildings in The Caird Hall, Morgan Academy, McManus Gallery &amp; Custom House
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the city structure, combining a hill with an amazing view, which is then 'diving' into the sea. Walking through the city you can see that there is a story hidden behind each street, each neighbourhood that seems independent from he rest, but at the same time all seem proud to leave in Dundee.
The is sun that brights up quite often, give a different exotic feeling to the place. I was impressed by the locals, how kind they are. I have a person especially in mind, born and raised in Dundee, and when he speaks about it, is talking with so much passion about the history, language and people of the place. He even thank me for choosing Dundee as my place for studying. Personally, that is a wonderful feeling which made me fall in love with he city of Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Spent three years in the city as a student in the 60s and loved it. Now come for cultural events eg at the Dundee rep thatre which we love. Always excited by the changes taking place while preserving some of the old haunts c.f .Hawkhead.
Nostalgia mixed with anticipation would describe my response to Dundee in 2013....well deserves City of Culture 2017. Incidentally 50 years since my graduation in Medicine!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The spirit of entrepreneurship and creativity within the city. It is the best place to be inspired by creative individuals working in a city of creative culture!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The universities and museums! Two universities mean that there are fantastic opportunities to acquire knowledge, both formally and informally (through diversity and cultural enrichment) and the newly refurbished McManus galleries offer an insight on all aspects of life in Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has some hidden gems of delightful restaurants and cafes that are original and varied. Having lived in Dundee for 6 years now I am still amazed at all the new places I am discovering. This on the backdrop of amazing surroundings and scenery is just one of the things that makes Dundee amazing!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's all about the people! They just get up, rise to the challenge and make stuff happen, the city has a long history of innovators, creators and game changers who adapt, shift and change to advance technology, industry, the arts and more. We are well known for our international trade and commerce links and that has influenced our cultural scene over the years (eg. I love that Timex/NCR back of the lorry spectrums kick-started Dundee's games industry!). The number of jute factories and trade buildings now repurposed by creative collectives/artists is really interesting i.e. Wasps, Tin Roof, Generator Projects, Fleet Collective and of course the DCA.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As a born and bred Dundonian, I often feel that Dundee is Scotland's "silent city" - that is, most people (particularly down south) think of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen first when naming a Scottish city. Yet, it has so much going for it in terms of its transition towards an artistic culture, its "student friendliness", and its beautiful location.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The views of the estuary from the city, every time I see them, blow me away. Dundee is an area of outstanding natural beauty. The seals and dolphins don't hurt either (unless you are trying to windsail, in which case they can get in the way).
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> So much within the city and so much around the city - a diversity of countryside - river, beach, hills etc. - just minutes away. Wonderful!

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