:: We Dundee

We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

2791

PEOPLE AND GROWING

There was a bookshop once, new to Dundee, but boy was that place embraced. Attracted a really varied cross section of the region & everybody got involved. It was only as it was closing that it really hit home how much it had become part of the cultural fabric of the city – in reality it was only bricks & mortar, it was the PEOPLE who made it such a great hub.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city ensures continual improvement.
It is an exciting time with the addition of the new V&A developments and the current improvements being rolled out in the city centre.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A wealth of characters who can get along with anyone.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Beano Comics! Knowing they are published by D. C. Thomson, a Dundee publishing company makes each and every annual/comic given to me by my grandparents that little bit more special!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I recently moved here as an intern in the University of Dundee Museum Services. I am delighted to be part of a city with so much culture, and I was surprised at the amount of history and culture Dundee has. Knowing hardly anything about the city, I look forward to learning all there is to know (if that's even possible!)

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> My daughter was born in Dundee. She was taught sign language at Oranges & Lemons nursery when she was aged 3-4. She and her class mates performed 2 songs with signing when she moved on to school. The fact that she learnt sign language at nursery shows a great attitude to learning, and an outward looking but also inclusive culture. We love Dundee!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How much I miss it - I never expected to feel that when I moved away, but there's a unique sense of warmth and welcoming about the Dundee

<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> Love the DCA

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The observatory: it's a trully remarkable place near the city centre. Also, the city should probably include St. Andrews and the rest of the region, since that would certainly help get more attention.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The high level of cultural events, and places to visit

<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> It's got to be the view of the city from Newport. Over the impressive tay bridge, looking back on the city as is rests upon the River Tay. The skyline undulates from west to east, gently extending its reach to the hidden beaches beyond.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has the closest two football stadiums in the world.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Braithwaites coffee shop. It's like stepping back in time!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Going from strength to strenght reinventing itself. Full of hidden gems allready and only increasing.

Dundee is truly a city of many discoveries!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The beautiful people, the attitude & way of life.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved up from London to Dundee 11 years ago. The same year a watched a few guys emerging from the Tay at Broughty Ferry having swam from Wormit. At the time I thought they must be crazy and now I am one of the 70 or so who once a year in August jump over the wall at the railway bridge to swim the Bridge-to-Bridge. A great event typical of this quirky, friendly and interesting city.

<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 city that continues to grow and develop with the times. Dundee has an ineresting history from whaling, the famous three J's - Jute, Jam and Journalism to developing the gaming industry, art, music, writting, science, drama, dance and sport. We also have the exciting prospect of the V&A development which will bring with it more job opportunites and strengthen the industry and culture. There is something for everyone in Dundee - McManus Galleries and museum, the law hill and its panoramic views of the city, the Mills Observatory, Broughty Ferry beach (and the famous Visocchi's for homemade icecream), The Rep, Verdant Works, Sensation, The DCA, Magdalen Green and the bandstand - the list can go on and on. The general atmosphere and friendliness of the people in Dundee is something that is always a pleasant surprise

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the Tay, the Tay that goes to Perth and back each day

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> In face of many negative social & economic factors and compared to all other urban centres in the region, Dundee has a vibrancy and energy about arts and culture that can be felt. It's the pride people have, in themselves and their city that, despite adversity, creates this exciting environment.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Magdalen Green and the view of the Tay, not a native but it makes Dundee feel like home!

<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> Having recently started living here (moved from London) I have been struck by the warmth and very welcoming attitude from all those I have met - at work, the bus drivers, shop assistants, various tradesmen to name a few. The compact city has a great history with hidden gems around many corners. The old city walls to the west, a medieval house in the city centre now the Backpackers hostel, the incomparable moodiness of the Tay, RSS Discovery and of course the Unicorn. So understated, so much to shout about.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the wonderful location on the Tay estuary. The views across the Tay from the city are tremendous as are the views from the Fife side. I also love the sheer Victorian quality of the city ---the large jute mansions , substantial public buildings and streets of tenements. The city has a vibrancy with DCA , the McManus galleries and the Rep. The new riverside project will add to this vibrancy.

<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> I love the fact you have all the amenities of a major city and yet you can drive about without the traffic stress of a big city such as an Edinburgh or a Glasgow. There aren't the same 'wacky races' or gunge ups here !

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> That there is such a vibrant amateur classical music scene.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a city looking to the future combining a new dynamism while also maintaining strong links with its cultural heritage. The city offers an excellent quality of life and provides an environment which fosters creative opportunities for both individual and business enterprise.

For a small city it hits well above its weight and more than deserves the title of City of Culture 2017!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> City with community/village feel. Very friendly people.
Many lovely parks and open spaces for everyone. Integrated multi national community.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> for being so small there is loads to see we have done alot with what we have a deserve to win!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'm always surprised by the fantastic range of shops and galleries in the west end/perth road area selling local handcrafted items, many of which have been made or designed by current and former duncan of jordanstone students. Many of these places are very unassuming, however have been there for years- proving how much the local residents value the creations on sale. The lindeen gallery in particular is a highlight.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The beauty of city is like none other, we have an extinct volcano which is a beautiful landmark which gives us views for miles around the city and across to the kingdom of fife

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the flowers....Dundee parks department does a great job with wonderful floral displays throughout the city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I think Broughty Ferry is one of Dundee's little gems, lovely little seaside village, great little shops, cafes, bars and restaurants.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There's a growing swing dance scene spurred on by the Universities swing dance society.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city feels more vibrant and diverse than ever before. The mind is never bored in a place like Dundee. Hidden secret has to be the various collectives operating in the city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The opportunities for such a wide range of music - for those who perform and those who prefer to sit and enjoy. There are amateur musical societies with professional standards, trad music in the Wighton at Central Library, folk music in pubs, groups for children bringing on the next generation, Dundee Schools Music Theatre showcasing incredible talent, Caird Hall as a tremendous venue - the Proms concerts broadcast across the UK.

<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> After living in Dundee for over 30years the river continues to delight me. You can see it at the same time every day and it is never the same, weather , tide, time of year and light. It is so much an integral part of the city yet sets the city off. To the landward side of Dundee there are fantastic walks in the Sidlaws. Living in Dundee gives you the advantages of a city yet within 30 minutes drive you are in lovely countryside. An incredible combination.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has without doubt the most heartbreakingly beautiful sunrise/sunset landscapes in the UK and perhaps in any city anywhere. That is reason enough for anyone to visit it but it also a city of gritty, entertaining and sometimes endearing character. It has a unique relationship between a very industrial and scottish local population and a very new and international university. The University also boasts an impressive art school populated by quirky and impulsive people who help to make the city fascinating

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundonians themselves. When in the city talking to peers often they overlook the vibrancy, riches and uniqueness of what the City has to offer.

The usp of the City and it's developing drivers is that: the City continually renews and evolves with the changing environ, no longer should the city be thought of as the City of Discovery and the 3 J's for Jute, Jam and Journalism, but that One City Many Discoveries, and the drive and development in sectors of bio medicines, digital media, renewables, developing culture - DCA, The McManus, Dundee Rep, the impending V&A Dundee.

With that said, take a Dundonian out of the City, and it is inspiring to hear how positive an ambassador they are for their beloved home City.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Christmas markets - great atmosphere. Waterfront redevelopment - so keen for Dundee to have the face it deserves. Dundee has a great civic feel. By working in Dundee, I feel part of the city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The views from so many angles are amazing. Both looking in and looking outwards. The struggles too, of many people such as my Granny who worked in the Jute Mills and the struggles too, of many today who can't find work, but keep striving despite the setbacks. It's not just the views, but the people. Their determinism to help others, even when they have so little, brings out the best. I've seen it often in the most surprising places.

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