We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

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PEOPLE AND GROWING

Support Dundee

Budding artists used to come to Dundee to study at Duncan of Jordanstone college of Art because its an amazing college but would leave after graduating to live in bigger, more “happening” cities….now they come to DJCAD because it’s an amazing college and they stay!
Dundee is now one of the happening cities, overflowing with creative talent with a great vibe.
It IS a city of culture..

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> that no matter what high spot you are standing on in Dundee we have the most stunning views surrounding us from the view across the tay to the sidlaws at the back .
<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> The views are superb from everywhere especially from the top of Ninewells Avenue !
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Dundee Contemporary Arts should be the "Centre of Culture" in the UK! Due to its quaint nature, the workshops and events it runs are very heavily community-oriented, attendants to these events feel the cultural message a lot more personally.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people are the hidden secrets - the creative juices that flow from Dundee are many and immense. And you also had the inimitable Michael Marra. A jewel in Scotland's crown.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The big sky and light quality of the estuary. Havana Swing and "The Smiling School for Calvinists". Dry weather and humour.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The most exciting thing for me recently was discovering all about the law tunnel! It would be amazing to be able to see it and walk through a piece of history that had been shut away for so long.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city has a wonderful welcoming warmth - built on its people, traditions and heritage and its developing future. There is something for everybody to be both pleased with and proud of. You are never bored with vibrant Dundee
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee people are proud of a city which has seen hard times but is reinventing its self as a modern city which embraces change and new opportunities.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> No place can beat Dundee for green space and places to walk. Just begin to list the parks. Walking through cemetery and up to the observatory gives stunning views across Invergowrie bay and then to the North. Having lived in Glasgow for six years, I am continually reminded of what a great job the City does maintaining the parks and keeping the streets and open areas clean. Everyone I encourage to visit, loves it and can't believe they have never thought of coming to Dundee before.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Coming from Perth my perception of Dundee was always negative until work brought me here in 2004. Dundee in general has surprised me, continues to evolve and in turn surprises friends who I bring to the city. It is hard to explain but I feel comfortable here. Dundee is home.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has such a great location - between the Tay with it's dolphins and seals and the fabulous Angus glens. Great art centres, museums, theatre, cafe's - it's diverse, yet on a scale that feels more like a big village than a impersonal urban sprawl. And I the Wellgate clock - when I was little my grandpa would take me to see it chime at midday - I still love it!
<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> 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> The resilience of the city and the people - we keep geting knocked down and we still show a unity to keep going until we succeed.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> That despite people's perception of Dundee it has an incredibly vibrant creative culture which is only growing. It is very exciting!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> McManus Museum... Beautiful and mystery... A taxi driver told me, that below the McManus museum is a water... he is one of the city council worker before he retired. I like Dundee very much... a nice place to study.. to live.. a good environment.. nice people..
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's a city with a community, heart and soul. It is unique
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> One of the great hidden secrets of Dundee is tin roof. Its an new art studio which has hosted a few great gigs which, I was lucky enough to attend. Just the once. I really hope to pop along again soon. The atmosphere was brilliant. Everyone enjoying the music with a nice cold beer (there was no fridge it was just freezing!). Not to worry though, there was a nice fire out the back and when the music got a bit intense you could take a break and stroll through their gallery. It was some pretty funny cartoon sketches when i was there. The music was everything from metal to folk. Whatever your into you'll enjoy tin roofs' events. Unless you don't like art or music of course. In that case get off the bid for city of culture. Swine!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its an ah-mazing place to grow up in, even better to move away from but best and easier of all, to return to - little hard to break into but simple to recognise the warm rewarding wit, musical, artistic, academic attitude and talent of people, haphazardly grouped together, all working hard for themselves, each other, ourselves, creating our talented overlooked ambitious little city
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Nothing, I'm from Dundee and have been all over the world with the Royal Navy but nothing competes with Bonnie Dundee !
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love how Dundee has a strong social history and culture - from the women in the mill to the "hecklers" and the beginnings of the unions. I feel this strong cultural identity is preserved and carried forward today and built upon by the people of the city nowadays... maybe not in an "In your face way" but in a quiet and assured way that directly affects real peoples lives.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> This city of ours has such a wide range of artistic talent. What I truly love about it is how proactive everyone is about making great things happen. Tin Roof and Generator projects are artist run studio/exhibition spaces ran by collectives which produce such a high quality of work and harness an inspiring attitude. Similarly the music scene spans all tastes. Dundee bands have always had a very high standard as far as output which despite the cities size proves there's magic in these here streets.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Scottish Variety Awards 'Best New Scottish Band' 2013 - Anderson, McGinty, Webster, Ward and Fisher' - all Dundee born and bred. Not a 'hidden secret' for much longer.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a fabulously diverse city, with a vibrant arts scene, from great productions at the Rep to outstanding exhibits at DCA, and the newly refurbished McManus galleries. There's always something to entertain, challenge and excite.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's esplanade provides some of the most stunning scenery in Scotland - its beauty is such that every time I view it, it leaves me lost for words like the very first time I experienced the 'Silvery Tay'. One of Dundee's greatest assets is simply being able spending time on the banks of Tay. In the mid to late 1800s tourists travelled for miles to marvel at the spectacle. 'The Dundee Esplanade is unrivalled for cycling purposes, and it is truly the cyclist's delight,' says the full-page advertisement in the Dundee Directory for 1898-99. 'Be sure to visit the Whitmair Cycling Pavilion at the east end of the Esplanade, where cycles can be hired by hour, day, or month,' it continues.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's WONDERFUL!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> My daughter first came to Dundee 5 years ago to study medicine, it was very daunting for us as parents to send our first born to little known to us city in a foreign country. We needn't have worried she fitted in like a duck to water from the very minute she moved there and now it seems she has met the love of her life a local Dundee lad.. She has never felt unsafe in Dundee and on our many visits we have always enjoyed ourselves immensely, one of Dundee's greatest assets is it's close proximity to the sea, there's nothing we like more than taking the bus to Broughty Ferry. It's wonderful to see the amount of work in progress in Dundee and when it's all complete soon it will have undergone an amazing transformation. People of Dundee should be proud of their wonderful city!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I am amazed at the depth of feeling and loyalty that Dundonians have for their city. Despite being one of Scotland's larger cities, the people make it feel like a village because they all know each other .
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Caird Park - growing up I loved going to Caird Park, we would go to the Carnival when it was there, play in the grounds of the Castle, the old cemetry, at the ponds... it was always a great adventure! Dundee has amazing parks, people from all area's of Dundee have easy access to large parks.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people are so friendly. I get lots of foreign visitors at work and they all say this.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The warmth and friendliness of the Dundonians always makes me smile. I love the sense of history, the hidden gems, the cafe culture and the great selection of shops. Everyone you meet has a tale to tell, or a joke to share. I love walking down the Perth Road either past the university into the bustle of the town or out towards the Botanical Gardens, a special place of peace and tranquillity. I love to walk in Dudhope Park, especially when the leaves are changing in the Autumn or sit looking out over the Tay in the evening when the light is changing. There is hope and potential in it's people and it's places.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The cultural quarter of the DMCA, the rep and all the events happening!
<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> Dundee has the only women's trail of its kind in the whole of the UK. You can get the free leaflet and talk a walk from plaque to plaque round the city centre, marvelling at the interesting lives and achievements of 25 notable women, and then go home and read of many more on the website dundeewomenstrail.org.uk. This is a city which has been known for its strong women. Doctors, witches, artists, mill workers, Suffragettes and business women - they're all here.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has such an interesting history but it also has a very interesting future! I've lived here all my life and don't think I've ever been happier in Dundee than I am right now. Dundee has recently been recognised as a new Destination in the world of Jewellery. everyone knows of the three J's, maybe it's time to add a fourth?
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee, unofficially known as Fundee, due to the happy memories and good times had during my university days. Great people, culture and attitude makes each return visit something to look forward to.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The wealth of musical talent Dundee has to offer as well. The beautiful beach at Broughty Ferry. But most of all the friendliness and humour of the people.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee right now is lively and exciting, the city itself is looking good and theres a certain buzz about the place.. a change of attitude perhaps? The shops are trendy and lots of new individual businesses are opening everywhere. A trendy city full of friendly folk,,its deffo getting better..lets hope we win this.. check out the likes of House of Liberty, Hayley Scanlan and many other gems in this growing city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The transformation! The huge amount of creative talent in the city is amazing &amp; really, still to be fully discovered!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> it is known for its large cultural variance, the achitectural layout ofthe city is one that seems to fascinate. The location of the law hill, providing an enigmatic view of the whole city. The weather is one that is highly intriguing. known to be the sunniest city in the scotland, hail stones in august spices up the flavour of the Dundee life.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> 1) Old train tunnel through Law hill- could reopen as exhibit 2) River cruises- Tay is beautiful. Could get more like Taymara. 3) Mills Observatory- only free public one in UK &amp; great fun at nights 4) James Chalmers- inventor of stamps. Could have international philately expo 5) James Bowman Lindsay- first inventor of lightbulb. Could have huge illuminated lightbulb sculpture or combine with- 6) Could have UK's first "Bellagio" style water fountain combining movement and classical music. 7) Jimmy Shand- lived in Dundee and bought his first accordian there. Could have National Accordian Championship like Glasgow's successful Piping Championships. For more ideas- email me!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The hidden community arts work that Dundee Rep do is extraordinary - speak to their Community Drama Officer
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> When I look back on my youth in Dundee having been brought up and played in the "auld tenements" I only visualize my very early past in grey, black and white. It was a typical city with factories and smoke. Now - what a change - its colourful. The new buildings, the green park areas, the Tay and the City Quay. Cannot wait for the completion of all the work that is being carried out whcih is bring a breath of fresh air to what can be called again Bonnie Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I lived in the city until the early 1990s and still enjoy visiting regularly. Now there's a much more diverse cultural life, great restaurants, good retention of the city's heritage alongside all the amenities required for modern urban living.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved here when I was 17 to go to DOJ and I thought I would move straight home after i got my degree. 4 years later I am still in Dundee, and can truely call it home. There is loads going on and the people are 'braw'!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The off the beaten track arts in the city . Weather its the colour of westfest or the viberance of the artists its all good .Very very good.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> “Up wi the Bonnets O’ Bonnie Dundee - ” Before it was called Hilltown it was Bonnet Hill. Fashion design bonnets (not baseball caps,) bonnets for women and men, jaunty blue bonnets that have Dundee’s crest on them with Bonnie Dundee woven around it - and slogans - for tourists: “City of Culture, Will you no come back Again” Give the bonnets out to every one in Dundee, if they are stylish, all will wear them - a city with it’s population sporting - City of Culture Bonnets!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> So many unique features, but can't fail to be impressed by the view approaching the city over the river. Especially at night.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has so much to offer, with its beautiful views and has endless opportunities. As a young artist I feel at home here, with places like the DCA and the McManus Gallery, which I visit regulary. Also being the home of DC Thomson's 'The Dandy', the worlds third longest running comic, is really exciting, especially with the new digital version, a whole new place for comic books! I've met so many amazing people since moving to Dundee two years ago, this city has really brought me out of myself and now I'm a completely changed person. Thank you Dundee!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The creativity - so many people who paint, sing, write and want to share it. The enthusiasm and love of the arts sets this city apart from anywhere else in the UK
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved here for University in the summer, the friendliness of the locals and the incredible architecture has surprised me the most. Dundee boasts the most incredible scenery of any city in the UK.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The friendly, generous spirit of the people.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I think the courses at the college are one of the most surprising 'hidden secrets' having attended pottery classes with amazing teachers and a great atmosphere.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's status in the world of higher education is rapidly growing, and the world class research in areas such as Medicine and Life Sciences is something all Dundonians should be proud of. The Riverside redevelopment programme will redefine the city, and the new V&amp;A at Dundee will put the city firmly on the culture map!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has an amazing creative culture for artists, designers, musicians, developers and more...
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Although Dundee is not particularly nice at first sight, the sunset from Broughty Ferry or the sunrise looking at Hilltown from the University is simply amazing.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Universit yof Dundee Saturday Evening Lecture Series is Scotlands oldest continuous free public lecture series, celebrating its 90th Anniversary in 2014. Each event sees between 200 and 800 members of public from across Scotland attend, sparking debate on many different topics. The people of Dundee are always very keen to support University activities, and we work closely with Dundee City Council and V&amp;A at Dundee among others to ensure we bring the biggest and best speakers to our campus!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There are so many kind people when I walk round the city centre. Who open doors, help me with the pram up stairs, or if I look in difficulty. Photo is of the gorgeous view from my house of an oil rig arriving.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Everything is on our doorstep here - great countryside, lovely parks, theatres and museums. But the best thing is the people, who are genuinely interested in me, and why I'm here, and what I do. Perhaps this most sunny of the Scottish cities has given its residents a naturally sunny disposition.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The forward thinking art and technology community.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Broughty Ferry has to be Dundee's best kept secret. Great beaches, great restaurants. It has a castle for christ's sake! ;)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city is an architecture lover's paradise! The past wealth of the city is clear to see in the architectural beauty of so many buildings.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is growing into a vibrant city, with the new waterfront development now taking place and also the V &amp; A plans, Dundee is becoming a very cultural city. With two universities it also has a wide variety of students from different cultures. With the McManus Galleries and the Discovery it also offers history. And the iconic River Tay and two bridges sets Dundee apart from a lot of other cities, the views are just beautiful.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The music scene in Dundee is very diverse, for a small city we have some great venues and bands. Not to mention our great blues festival! It really helps put Dundee on the map.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is an amazing city to be part of. It blends together the traditions and culture of the past, with its modern approaches to education, arts, commerce and industry of today, and with our aspirations for the future. Where is there a city in the UK which has gone through so many transformations yet is still striving to reinvent itself again through the Dundee Waterfront Project? I can't wait to see it finished! Dundee has taken a leap of faith to secure its future as one of the UK's most exciting cities to live in.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have lived here all my life and can see the changes in the city, we have a rich cultural heritage and a diverse population, and Dundee continues to grow and evolve. Dundee has struggled against a negative image that it does not deserve, and communities are gaining strength and resilience through local projects and volunteering. Dundee used to look tired and old-fashioned when I was growing up, but the new developments, cultural sights and Overgate shopping centre make it a place that people come especially to visit.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It sits on the banks of a beautiful river. It has an historic ship the discovery that was used to navigate the seas. It will host the V&amp;A museum and has the vibrancy and artistic temperament to make this a world leading area for arts and culture not just for a year, but for a lifetime.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> love Dundee city!!! I live here not so long term, but I am pleasently surprised that people here are sooo friendly!!!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> What amazes me about Dundee is the friendliness of Dundonians. Just like Glasgow, is it to do with the industrial history of the city? Very sunny, enjoyed every day here as a student!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How wonderfully friendly the people are and how good the university is!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The history of Dundee is very broad and would excite those who are into its study.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I work with a group of ESOL learners at Dundee International Women's Centre. They never fail to bring a smile to my face when they say what a wonderful place Dundee is to live and how friendly and welcoming the people have been to them. I would like to share the voices of these women, who come from many different countries and many of whom now call Dundee home.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee never let's go of your heart.the people ,young and old welcome you .the architectur,history ,people are unique.the,law hill,road bridge ,old and new.rail bridge.the rail disaster,teaching hospital,dental hospital ,university.Jute ,jam ,journalism .Broughty ferry.berry fields.river Tay.Salmon,pearls.The Discovery,Card Hall.DC Thomson. No hidden secret.Dundee shares whatever they have with whoever wants to look. Find. Explore and experience.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The multitude of events hosted throughout the year - jazz; dance; classical music; talks; comedy; recent major art exhibitions at the McManus; and more. Just wish I had more time to go to them all!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a perfectly placed city and isn't overcrowded, the small town big city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> My parents were both Dundee doctors. My father was John Langlands who had a practice at Garland Place. He was a very much loved Dundee GP who used to visit his patients nearly every day of the year, even Christmas Day!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The way the people welcome you into their lives, their dreams, their failures, their success.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The sense of humour in Dundee is fantastic! We don't take ourselves too seriously but we do appreciate our rich cultural heritage. Strong women play a big part - past and present!
<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> 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 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> The ever changing look of sea, river, clouds, hills and wildlife make everyday a surprise. The richness of women's history in Dundee. The thriving arts community in Dundee and surrounding countryside.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The South facing slopes of the town and the winter sun. But especially the McManus and the DCA
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a friendly city, and everything is easy to reach, as it is a small city. the Kingsway is a lovely road with all the flowers and plants. Dundee also has a lot of open park areas, and lots of trees.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Having travelled from the North West of England to study at the University of Dundee I was surprised to find such a variety of places to go and things to do! My new favourite pastime is going to performances at The Rep! They have a range of incredible performances from dance to drama, comedians to musical shows. Dundee and The Rep have truly opened my eyes to the world of performance!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A city that feels like a village, and where I can be on a beach in 10 minutes or in the mountains in 45. You can't beat that.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Traditional Music is kept alive by a small group of musicians, not just from Dundee, but from all over. They perform for free to anyone who listens, keeping traditions arrived. The Fishermans Tavern Session on a Thursday night, is just 1 of Dundee's hidden gems.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved to Dundee from Edinburgh 38 years ago, and was expecting something of a cultural desert. However, I was immediately impressed by the quality of the Dundee Rep (then located in an old converted church), who have always gone for adventurous and imaginative productions rather than the “safe” ones you might expect. There has also always been an extremely lively music scene, from classical, rock and folk concerts in the Caird Hall, Fat Sam's, the Rep and Gardyne theatres, to the guitar and jazz festivals, and even the wonderful “bring-your-own-instrument” traditional music sessions in the Fisherman's tavern, Broughty Ferry.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> sunset in riverside. from Roseangle road to alongside the train railway.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has a brilliant sense of multiculturalism-there is a Halal shop,a Polish shop, a Russian shop and a traditional Scottish fish and chip shop within walking distance of my flat. I like the fact that each of these cultures brings something unique to Dundee-it feels really special.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Great live music, lovely art galleries, friendly people, great restaurants, rich history. I love Dundee!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Having recently retired to Dundee from London I have been amazed at the diversity of cultural activities on offer here. The wealth of films shown at the DCA for every type of audience; the excellent repertory company and the brilliant Scottish Dance Company based in Dundee and now gaining an international reputation; the Discovery Centre, the Verdant Works Museum, and the Caird Hall hosting visits from international ballet companies and orchestras,and the V&amp;A coming soon. Dundee is already a city of culture!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The sheer energy and cohesion - a city's population seeking to make more for themselves and the generations to follow
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> We have a contemporary arts centre, a reportary theatre company, Scottish dance Theatre, The Scottish School fo Contemporary Dance, Duncan of Jordanstone Art's School, a Concert Hall, and a centre of world class journalism and medical research......How much more cultured can you get!?!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's resilience - it's been knocked down many times and come back stronger than ever !!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> That it makes me want to stay and get creative! Having previously lived in a number of bigger cities, including Paris &amp; Glasgow, I moved to Dundee by chance a few years ago. I think what Dundee may lack in quantity when comparing to larger cities, it more than makes up for in quality, accessibility and community. I am inspired by the amount of creative collectives that I have seen develop within the few years I have lived here (Tin Roof Arts Collective, The Vanilla Ink Jewellery Studios, Skillshare Dundee, Fleet Collective and Creative Dundee). I also love the range of creative learning opportunities and events that more established venues such as The McManus and The DCA offer. Ultimately, it is people that make a place and craft a culture and the people I have met since moving here have shown me there is a wealth of forward thinking, creative people in the city that are working hard to make exciting things happen.
<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> That it produces music of such diverse style, colour and excellence. The Annual Dundee Blues Festival, brings acts from all over the world, giving the locals of Dundee a chance to experience the richness and culture of world class Blues music.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Much more to see and do in Dundee than people realise. I love to watch the seals on the sandbanks near the bridges when the tide is out.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Balgay park is just beautiful and people don't mention it enough or talk about it. Exploring the really old massive grave monuments on the hills in the park on a sunny day are great.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Living out with the city, I find it very uplifting travelling over the bridge to what I consider my hometown. There is a great creative buzz floating around in all that friendliness. DCA, SDT, the Rep to name only a few, have together raised the profile and given us a city to be proud of - Dundonians are proud people and now they have a lot to be proud about!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I grew up in Dundee in the '30's and through the war years. After graduation as an architect, I subsequently moved to Canada where I spent my professional life. In occasional visits back to Dundee I was saddened with the way the city had declined in those early post-war years. However on more recent visits back I have been greatly impressed with the remarkable transformation that has taken place.with such cultural innovations as the new waterfront development starting with acquiring Scott's antarctic ship and it's attached Museum, The Jute Museum and the current Art Gallery Project..
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Since having my son who is 2 I've rediscovered Dundee, in particular some of the incredible green spaces we have.Balgay and Magdalen are within walking distance for us, however the Botanic Gardens (or the jungle as my son refers to it) is a little haven full of surprises. Perfect for picnics, playtime and public art. They've hosted some incredible events over the years, N_ILK at the Botanics being one of my favourites.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Outsiders may be surprised to know that William Wallace was educated at the Grammar School of Dundee, and was outlawed for killing the son of the English Governor of Dundee, setting him on the path that would see him become the central figure in the Wars of Independence. KT Tunstall and Andrew Marr attended the same school, now known as the High School of Dundee, more recently. There is no suggestion either committed any heinous crimes that brought the wrath of the English authorities upon them.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> We have lots of beautiful parks for anyone who wants to play or walk. Balgay Park is an unexpected treasure culminating with the observatory at the top.
<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> The Art &amp; Design courses at Dundee College are brilliant! The teaching staff are so enthusiastic and are supportive to all students. The Gardyne Campus is a beautiful and welcoming place to study. This is a vibrant and exciting place - the V&amp;A will be right at home when it comes to Dundee with all the homegrown talent alraedy here.

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