:: We Dundee

We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

2791

PEOPLE AND GROWING

One of Dundee’s hidden secrets is the wonderful night sky which can be seen above and around it – as most Dundonians sleep there can often be see the Northern Lights and rare Noctilucent clouds giving a wonderful backdrop to the city. Dundee is a photographers paradise – from the at times quirky architecture, its stunning location on the Tay, its bridges, its surrounding countryside, and its people – always varied, always individual, always Dundonian 🙂

<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> hidden secrets

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the fact the even although Dundee is a city, it can feel so small. You will always find someone who knows someone else you know. Lived here all my life, apart from a short stay in Glasgow, but coming home either over the bridge or from any other direction, seeing a landmark and knowing I'm home is the best feeling in the world

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has everything for everyone. Beautiful location, friendly locals and a fascinating diverse history that we should be proud to share.
People with adventure and creativity in their hearts they have sought and fought for their place in history.
Underated and often berated Dundonians should be proud to stand up and be recognised as a/ the city of culture.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The independent development of resources, supported by local people. Support given to theatre, - professional and amateur {music and drama}. Scots music, song and poetry is endemic - popular,widespread and developing. A strong centre for Art and the Arts and prominent in the sciences (medicine, biology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, IT skills,computing and traditional sciences. Dundee is a cultural centre for East and Central Scotland, Britain and the World, with many foreign students and visitors.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The DCA is amazing, we travel there all the way from Perth regularly to see inspiring films and music we'd never otherwise know about.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> dundee roller girls great bunch i just joined, the theatres the dca my daughter loves going to the art shows, the universities diverse people you meet

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It is a city which feels fresh and vibrant.
Love the quality of the light and the sense of space beside the Tay.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its a great location. Its not a hidden secret. The River Tay is a most beautiful waterfront to cycle along. I came to work in Dundee 30+ years ago as NHS Tayside was providing innovative Clinical Psychology services. Dundee continues to develop better ways to reduce the impact of historical poverty. I have enjoyed living and working amongst friendly people who know their history is often a mix of wealth and hardship but are keen live in a thriving place and make this better for all. Concerts, theatre, parks and nightlife all contribute to this. Braithwaites tea & coffee shop is just one small corner of this.

<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> The history of the city is fascinating

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved to Dundee from Glasgow for university in 2006. Having come from such a big city with a massive town centre, I spent the first wee while here moaning about how small it was and how there was nothing to do. Then I realised I hadn't really left the comfort of student halls. Once I went exploring I found out what a great city Dundee is, despite it's small size.

It has fantastic pubs and bars, good places to eat, great cinema, art and a pretty awesome local music scene.

I've come to love Dundee and 3 years after graduating - I'm still here!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I like the way Dundee is renewing itself, learning from its past and creating beautiful, interesting places. I love attending events, knowing I will meet interesting people who have lived all their lives in Dundee and have a wealth of stories about the city. I love the history of Dundee women as outlined in the Women's Heritage Trail which shows women's creativity, imagination, enterprise and courage - qualities which have helped to make the city what it is today.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It is very dynamic and currently the regeneration near the River is inspiring. Dundee deserves this accolade.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A friendly place with great theatre, art and architecture with the Tay.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> That we are the only city in Scotland still with its own repertory group in its own theatre designed by its own architects.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It has the most stunning waterfront location and is surrounded by fabulous countryside. 10 minutes drive in any direction and you are somewhere gorgeous, and yet you're only an hour away from Edinburgh.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A Great Place to live, with stuff always on!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The river Tay and all that's built along it! And a wonderful people.

<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 buzz around all of the cultural events; from fantastic productions at Dundee Rep Theatre to packed lectures on a Saturday night.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Music, vibrant arts and culture, grassroots self organised cultural activities going on as well as via more established organisations like DCA and other venues

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Voices in Harmony is a choir operating out of Whitfield Community Centre. Membership is around thirty plus and growing. The choir sings acappella and is led by Sarah Harrop who is very enthusiastic and inspirational.
Gigs are performed across the city including Marryatt Hall. Recently the choir worked in collaboration with Dundee Rep to perform "This Town" in Verdant Works.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Law - one of the finest view points in Scotland. Inspirational.

<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> 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> The hidden asset of Dundee is the fact that It is easily accessed from all other major cities in Scotland, therefore an ideal place for being the City of Culture 2017. A beautiful setting as you approach the river, miles of beach, countryside within 10 minutes and people from all walks of life.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The bridge club, housed in its own stunning premises on Perth Road, owned by the club since 1956. I have played in many bridge clubs throughout the UK, but never in such a spacious, comfortable building, with stunning views over the Tay estuary, it's own bar, catering facilities and friendly staff and members.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> west end, architecture, incredible buildings, people, places, open spaces, the Tay

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has the most beautiful setting of any city I know. It is built on hills which allow amazing views of the Tay, sometimes from places you don't expect. The view driving down West Park Road never ceases to take my breath away. This, coupled with amazing green spaces and parks, makes it the perfect place to live...and walk, and run.

<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 has lots of lovely buildings, botanic garden and the best place of all for kids growing up in Dundee and the surrounding area is camperdown park. Dundee is also the sunniest city In Scotland.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Old buildings

<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> 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> The quality of science research and output from dundee

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> City of youth and ambition

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have been doing some work with school children on the Dundee Waterfront Project and their enthusiasm and pride in rejuvinating the city was truly inspiring. I know it's 'not cool' to show enthusiasm when your a teenager but they let their passion for Dundee shine through and overcome their natural reluctance to reveal their true emotions. Brilliant.

<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> That after completing my dance degree in Dundee I have managed to get a full time job with Smallpetitklein Dance Company which is an exciting and dynamic company based in Dundee. Under the artistic direction of Thomas Small the company has a successful international performance company as well as a diverse community strand. Everyday is new and exciting!

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