:: We Dundee

We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

2791

PEOPLE AND GROWING

I first came here as a student in 2002 and after 4 brilliant years moved to Glasgow and then Edinburgh for work. But loved Dundee so much I am back and thrilled to see the city has moved on. The Universities, Shopping and Industries, although well established are on the up and I can only see positive things for Dundee and the surrounding area.

<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> Its renaissance from the 1908s. A city on its knees has brushed off the accumulated stour of decades of struggle and decline, and has re-invented itself. A global centre for manufacturing has become a global centre for learning - and of discovery, But also of culture, not forgetting the oral and popular cultures of the past but building on these and moving forward through the city's cultural institutions. And surprising and delighting people whose perceptions of Dundee are as dated as the notion of jute, jam and journalism, notwithstanding the incontionuiong importance of the last-named.

<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> Dundonian people have a very friendly which has often led to the most interesting conversations on the bus!
It never fails to surprise me how helpful people can be when you need a hand.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee warms my heart. It is the city I fell in love in, made my best friends in and have grown up in.

<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> Beautiful city with a fabulous location and THE most friendly, funny people. Drinking Pinot Grigio whilst watching dolphins on Brought Ferry beach swim by - priceless :-)

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Accessibility of classical music in a variety of forms:

-The Dundee Chamber Music Society
-Live from the Met Operas & Ballets at the DCA
-The University of Dundee's Friday Lunchtime Concerts at the Chaplaincy
-Opera, Ballet and Classical Concerts (RSNO) at the Caird Hall
-Dundee Symphony Orchestra (DSO)
-Amateur opera productions at Gardyne Road and elsewhere

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> My first time in Dundee was on late november last year, when Christmas lights turned ON for the first night and there were this fantastic atmosphere in downtown!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> When I first was considering studying art at Dundee I took a train journey up for the open day. The conductor was horrible refused to accept my card and was very unhelpful when I asked what I could do as I had no money on me. A stranger sitting next to me offered to pay my fare and I could repay her when we got off at Dundee. Once we were in Dundee and I had given the money back she turned out to be an art student and took me to the art college! Dundee's friendliness inspires me!

<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> I am surprised at how many things there are to do in Dundee. Every day there are many options for cultural activities. The people here are also very friendly.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city seems to surprise other Scots who visit our city , who did not realise what a beautiful city we have. The location next to the river tay is very special.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There is a busker who frequents the Murraygate and High Street, who plays the harmonica better than anyone I've ever heard. He plays blues and the experience is even better when someone, a stranger, joins in to accompany on vocals, which happens quite often.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its readiness to change

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Wighton Collection at Central Library is a wonderfully, rich and musically diverse hidden treasure which belongs to the city. This fantastic collection of books is priceless and provides the city with a magnificent musical resource.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> art bar, speedwells, parlour, djcad, dca, pheonic, frasers, grouchos.. thats dundee city.

<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> The city is teeming with mucicians of all sorts, classical, folk, rock, you name it! Dundonians are passionate about sharing their music and there is always a very healthy scene going on.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amount of raw talent this city possesses. Eh Write! writing group at Fintry Community Centre, Voices in Harmony singing group at Whitfield Activity Centre, Art Class at Panmurefield village Church. Ordinary citizens with extraordinary skills and abilities being/needing encouraged. Becoming UK city of Culture 2017 will hopefully draw out and highlight these hidden gems. They are there - they only need to be uncovered !!!!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I am constantly surprised by the changes within the city. It continues to grow and diversify in this current climate of recession.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is transforming itself in to a modern bright city for future generations to enjoy.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee rep have been at the leading edge of regional theatre for as long as I can remember. I grew up with so many great productions that I didn't realise how special they were and how lucky I was until I moved away from the city. It's not so much a hidden secret as a treasure hidden in plain sight, so much a part if the Dundee landscape that its easy to forget what a truly amazing resource it is.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The climbing wall in the church-I think it surprises most of the people coming from continental Europe.
But what I like about Dundee the most is the international environment, especially within the College of Life Sciences. We are a bunch of strangers gathered here from all around the world, and we really stick together, we are a family here, far away from home. I lived in Hungary and France before, but nowhere is as easy to find friends as it is in Dundee.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The talent and prowess the city has in the technology and digital media sectors never fails to blow me away.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The University's Saturday Evening Lecture Series - where town and gown meet, with no pretensions!

<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> 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> A friendly city with close links between the academic institutions and the city supporting the arts and and exciting scientific activities, especially in biological and medical sciences. Punching way above its weight!

<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> The variety of the city's music scene. From big bands and jazz at the universities to punk rock and indie in small venues, Dundee is again beginning to be recognised as a place well worth visiting - whatever sounds you prefer to have in your ears.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> If you live in Dundee you are within a 10 minute drive to the beach, beautiful parks and the countryside as well as a cultural quarter in the west end. Our community centres also provide a wide variety of learning opportunities with something to suit all tastes

<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> The thing I love most about Dundee is it's creative culture. Over the years I have seen many wonderful artistic and musical talents thrive within the city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> For a small city Dundee really punches above its weight in terms of its breadth of cultural activity and ambition and enthusiasm of its creative people.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the belief that Dundee people have in Dundee as a place to live. Our city sometimes gets bad press for some socially undesireable statistics but we defend our city's pride with great belief. Belief that our city can provide us with a place of enjoyment, nurture and development for our families to strive in. Dundee has a fantastic array of culture to be involved in and i am glad to be an active citizen with a young family in this thriving city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Junior Bike 2012 (&2006) organised and funded by Michelin Tyre. Supporting the young children of the city and encouraging them to be active as well as safe.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The history, the art and the science that hides round every corner. From the Gormley in the hospital to the modern architecture, to the statues and memories of Dundee's greatinventors, scientists and statesmen

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A small city where everything is happening! Dundee got strong roots, but also keep an eye on the future! Friendly people everywhere, nice wee places to eat! (I really love Lily and Stone caffe!) The waterfront is beautiful!

<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> Balgay Hill and the observatory.
The Law hill.
The riverside.
The public parks and good network of path/cycle routes.

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

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

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

This covers it for me.

Good luck Dundee. You deserve it.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The long history of the Trades of Dundee - the Three United Trades of Dundee and the Nine Incorporated Trades and their link with St Andrews Parish Church. The beautiful stained glass windows in that Church commemorating that link and the stained glass at the entrance to Ninewells Hospital again displaying the City's links with its historic Trades.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It always amazing how diverse Dundonians are, in their language, there fashion, their backgrounds, their views and there lifestyles. The rich tapestry of people in Dundee means there is a place for everyone to feel at home and that is something that always surprises me about the place.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Despite the temporary chaos, the city is being modernised and regenerated, and will soon be marvellous, centrally situated, excellent infrastructure.

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

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> 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> All Dundonians have time for you, even if, and, maybe, especially if, you are a stranger.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Having studied at the University of Dundee for almost three years now, the way in which the university runs itself in relation to the city is incredible. I have really enjoyed the uni bringing in all aspects of Dundee to uni campus. It makes me feel like I not only belong at uni but I belong in Dundee itself.

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