:: We Dundee

We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

2791

PEOPLE AND GROWING

With Bonnie Dundee you get Scotland in a nutshell.
Red squirrels in the city parks; beautiful Angus hills and wilderness and dolphins on your doorstep and waterfront: Your universities, art college, film school, theatres; the V&A coming and yet a Sunday morning so quiet you can imagine you are in a village long ago where people still walk to, and dress to, go to church.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the cultural diversity of the city, the many different people from so many walks of life, dundee is fast emerging as a place to be whether you are into music, the arts, the outdoors, the city has a plethora of different things to offer everyone

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> To me, the history of Dundee and surrounding area, going back centuries is just so rich and interesting and needs to be kept alive, although I do believe in more recent years the will and effort is there to do this. You only have to visit some of the local photo sites to read about the resiience and strength carried forward through very difficult times, from generation to generation. Of course, as in other cities there are problems, but again, the strength of the majority will make things better for the future. Nobody can deny the utter beauty of the surrounding landscape, just a stones through away....I think for the most part, anyone born and brought up in Dundee is blessd with an inner strength, passed down from those before, and also holds pride of the place we will always call "home".

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> In terms of a walk from edge to edge of town, there is an amazing variety of specificities.

<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> Dundee City Council's Housing Support Team.
We are still fairly unknown even by our tenants but can help with a wide range of problems to do with people's tenancies

<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> I have been coming to Dundee since my students days in the 1980's. My favourite places still include Sunrise from the Law, seeing the city from the Tay Bridge, arriving by train along the river with the Tay silvery in winter sunlight. More recently the upgrading around The McManus gallery and the quality of exhibitions it attracts - I have a particular soft spot for this part of the city as My 5 * Great-Grandfather has a statue there and I recently found out that it was partly funded by the people he employed - inspirational at the time?

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Great musicians, poets and artists working in an exciting environment.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I recently moved to Dundee, the first thing that struck me was the friendliness of the people and the 'village' atmosphere even though it is a city. I enjoy the interesting architecture and street art depicting the history of the city ... or just for fun. There are so many events hosted to share knowledge in the sciences and arts - science cafe, saturday evening lectures, comedy clubs, many of which are free to the public. The Discovery point, McManus gallery, Science museum and other museums also add to the interesting things to do. Not least also the view across the Tay to North Fife is spectacular. I moved to Dundee from Switzerland and find that my life is actually richer and more varied here.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> In my opinion Dundee is the ideal candidate for City of Culture. It has a 'ripe', 'up for it' feel that reeks readiness for the challenge and the honours that come with this accolade. The goodness in the people of Dundee will fulfil this role and will ensure a rich harvest of culture with the greatest of pride.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's never ending vibrancy, energy and beauty, the friendly people, the eclectic mix of born-and-bred Dundonians alongside the annual intake of students falling in love with the city. All the benefits of a large city condensed into a campus type environment, yet only a short drive to rural idyll. It's Fundee, it's Sunnydee, it's Dundee.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I used to travel through Dundee on my way to and from Uni in Aberdeen. I always thought it was a grey gloomy city of roundabouts. Now that I live here, I couldn't have been more wrong! My favourite places have to be the Botanic Gardens and Camperdown Park, and my absolute favourite thing is the ever-changing view of the River Tay - stunning In all weathers!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Great place to live, work and enjoy.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Born and bred here.Moved away for a few years but decided it was the only place I wanted to raise a family. Family members have attended the 'academies' - Harris Morgan Lawside and more recently Grove. Graduates of both universities have entered teaching and 3 generations have made our contributions to education. Am surprised at how moving I have found these comments and contributions and it's wonderful to see such support for 2017 in Dundee.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The heritage of Dundee and how we have progressed so far in a few years to adopt culture, art, fashion, education to such a high standard. But still keep ties to our history as a hard working industrious city.

<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> 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> I love the vibrancy of the city and know that good things are coming for Dundee. It has a great nightlife and is ideally situated for exploring the rest of the country! I love the city square as a great place to watch the world go by!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Good place to study and loads of things to do as a family.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As a relative newcomer to Dundee, I had no idea there was so much going on here. There are so many creative people, so many exciting new projects, and there's so much to explore. Quite inspiring for a small place!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's got a great location, lots of history, culture and vibrancy and is a great place to visit.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I am amazed by the vibrancy of the arts community in and around Dundee. and feel proud to have many of these artists as my friends. I came to the area to restore a ruined Baronial castle to the north of the city, in an attempt to bring back built heritage from the brink. However. so impressed have I been with the artists in the area, I would love to make the castle a cultural centre as well ... perhaps for 2017?

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The breathtaking views from the law, from Newport across the river, when driving along Riverside Drive, the constant surprise of small planes coming in to land or taking off, the DCA, buzzing with life and Magdalen Green with its backdrop of the tay and the rail bridge.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The accent!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design annual Degree Show at the University of Dundee. What a fantastic art and design teaching ethos and culture that exists within this Dundee institution to produce this showcase of talent each year.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A beautiful & peaceful cycle route, with fantastic views across the River Tay.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has so much going on and it is all within easy reach! Having two Universities, the fabulous DCA (Dundee Contempory Arts) and the McManus Art Gallery to name only a few brilliant cultural resources there is always public lectures, exhibitions, activities and places to meet family and friends to eat and drink. Broughty Ferry has beautiful beaches which are great for walks, sunbathing, water sports and the castle ~ not forgetting New Years Dook!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I came. up from The Scottish Borders in the seventies and have never left ! This is because I think Dundee is a great city. There is a special bond and pride in Dundee shared by Dundoians of all walks of life. For me I have always found the music and musicians of Dundee to be secondvto none. My favourite being Michaek Marra. Art theatre , despite it's size ..Dundee has it all.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Amazing 'hidden' architectural gems, heritage of the 'Jute Barons', many now used as offices, sensitive conversions, etc.
The energy and innovation that underpins the DCA, Sensations, the Rep, and so much more - the city vibrates with art and cultural excitement.
The musical tradition, made manifest in the excellent programme of classes for Dundee's schoolchildren.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Grants the butcher does the best mince.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> That we have the best variety and good quality eateries of any city in Europe . Lots of places to go on a night out whatever your income and the Caird hall

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The wealth of great private and public golf courses, that are very well designed and challenging, including the links course at Carnoustie and the beautiful landscaping of Downfield Golf Club. International visits could purchase special passes during the year of culture to Dundee private and public clubs in order to play golf on them all - a passport - could be offered.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Echoes of history from the proud jute mills turned homes - colour and style in a modern landscape

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city's location on the North shore of the River Tay makes it a bright place to work and live all year round. It is unique in that the river is visible from most places in the city and not just from its shoreline. That's what makes Dundee special to me.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The City's history really means something to its inhabitants, to Scotland and to the wider world.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The view of Dundee at night from across the water - a magical fairyland. The wildlife, Dundee has red squirrels, foxes and deer, as just a small example - alive with nature. The history within the Howff - Dundee's past in one central area.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The City Quay area is an amazing place to live. We've been here for 2 years now and love our views over to Fife, especially early mornings. Going for a run/cycle along the waterfront is so relaxing after a tough day at work. On summer days, the observation deck in front of our house is streaming with people out enjoying themselves, from early morning right through to the beautiful sunsets we enjoy.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is full of wonderful musicians, people and their own humour. The redevelopment that is going on is so overdue and when finished will place Dundee well and truly on the map of culture where it so rightly belongs.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's where the heart is!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee offers a richness in cultural activities next to none. And all so close and accessible!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a wonderful city that is thriving with the ongoing development work at the Central Waterfront and other associated building works. The railway station is receiving a major overhaul and new hotels are sprouting up across the city. with the V&A museum soon to be built alongside our flagship The Discovery people will be flocking in their thousands to see our city and whats on offer. The time is right for the Dundee to be the City of Culture 2017.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> it is the best city in the world and where I was born and most of my family live. Best schools and football team in DUFC.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee Schools Music Theatre an education as well as friends for life.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the nightlife

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The DCA Printshop!! Anyone can take a course there in a huge variety of print-related media and techniques. Taking a course entitles you to become a printshop member, with access to tools, materials, and best of all, the help and support of the friendly staff as well as other printmakers. Just one example of how Dundee nurtures and grows creativity in its lucky citizens!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The richness and diversity of the arts and culture; the burgeoning technology industry and the determined spirit of the locals.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A great city - first class university in design, art and ground-breaking medical research. One of the few theatre repertory companies still active in UK. Braithwaites coffee and tea emporium which is one of Dundee's cultural centres. Superb location on the river Tay. Verdant Works and the McManus first rate exhibitions and museum. Well deserved location for the V & A

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It actually is a surprisingly sunny city with sunny people and sometimes sunny, but always brilliant, inner-city walks.

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