:: We Dundee

We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

2791

PEOPLE AND GROWING

That it makes me want to stay and get creative! Having previously lived in a number of bigger cities, including Paris & 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> Both born and bred dundonians, and the people who have chosen to live here all have a great outlook and sense of community spirit which is great to be a part of.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Moved to Dundee as a child, instantly fell in love with the city. The Old Overgate, Wellgate, Royal Arch, the city arcade, spent many a happy penny there. Was saddened when the heart was ripped out of the city but now delighted with the new vibrant Dundee that has so much to offer students and tourists alike, with so much more to come. Dundee will forever be my home.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Travel from Dundee to Broughty Ferry on the road that follows the River Tay and see one of the most perfect views I have ever seen. This view has been captured by various local artists with some spectacular results.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The best thing about Dundee that you will never find anywhere else in Europe is our football, the closest grounds in Europe and win, lose or draw, there will always be friendly rivalry (or banter) yes we will wind each other up, but fans can still drink in the same pubs before and after the match, our fans are disciplined, #fact - welcome to Dundee where equality is happy!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Despite Dundonians propensity to bemoan and belittle their city , Dundee punches above its weight for many reasons: Two universities that are leaders in their respective fields; University of Dundee, the mature sibling an internationally renowned leader in medicine and cancer research. Abertay, the cocky younger sibling, leading the way in video gaming, forging dynamic international links with major players and its internationally acclaimed ‘Dare to be Digital’ competition. Art with the nationally acclaimed Rep, local amateur companies and the DCA with cutting edge exhibitions and foreign cinema. Accessible history with the McManus Museum, Discovery Point, Verdant Works and the Howff an ‘A’ listed Burial Ground.

<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 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> It's constantly changing yet always familiar

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Speedwell bar,dundee university,rep theatre,dundee utd,dawn at the law,sunset over the tay bridge and braw folk everywhere means dundee will always have a place in my heart.And this is from a weegie....

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The friendly people of Dundee never let you down, always something makes you smile about the characters

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Getting 300+ people routinely turning up to the University Saturday Evening Lectures. Topics range wide from Leonardo da Vinci to Cecil Beeton, Climbing Everest to Child Abuse. This wouldn't happen in London, nor (dare I say) Edinburgh!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The open attitude toward change and bringing culture into the city. Not many cities see culture as an important aspect of social life. People in Dundee are excited about change rather than being grumpy about even hearing that something new might happen.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has become my 'home from home' over the past 13 years. I moved here at 17 to study and have never left! I love the fact that Dundee is a city, yet it is right next to the countryside.I love running along the river front and strolling along Broughty Ferry beach with an ice cream from Vissochis. I enjoy admiring the views of Dundee from the other side of the Tay Bridge. I enjoy the buzz from the West End and the Cultural Quarter and the diversity of the people you meet here.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The ever changing waterfront

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Love the way they are re-developing the City's waterfront - traffic a serious pain however it will all be worth it in the end. Majority of Dundee citizens are kind and considerate people and are very generous with local charities as well as national ones, particularly Charlie Kean. The culture within the city is growing all the time which makes me proud to be a Dundonian!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is large enough to be a vibrant city, but small enough to still have a small-town friendliness. I work in tourism, and visitors are continually surprised by the overall attitude of Dundonians - it's what keeps bringing people back to the city, and why I'd rather be here than anywhere else.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The inspiring places that brought me to this city, Vanilla Ink Studios.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It has so much to offer from historic interests right through to creative arts (games design companies) whilst having two internationally recognised universities making the city known far and wide.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Although it is an established cultural asset, as a foreigner to Dundee I was surprised to find such an amazing cultural institution such as the DCA! But Dundee has many surprises in store, be it the whimisical statues on High Street or the art that surrounds you on campus buildings on a daily basis. Dundee is full of culture but never does it loose its rooting with its people and pretend it is something it isn't. That degree of down-to-earth-ness is surprising for a cultural city!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The location and the beautiful views from balgay park and the law

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The new McManus Galleries are excellent.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundonians are all braw! They have made me feel very welcome and I am proud to call it home.
The waterfront never fails to take my breath away and the sight of the seals on the sands means it is going to be a good day!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the warmth and welcoming people who made me feel at home when I came 28 years ago and now would never leave.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's a city with a creative spirit, and a many promising, developing creative industry. But I think that the most important 'hidden secret'of this city is the V&A museum and the configuration of the waterftont

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The views across the city and across the Tay are ever-changing and always inspiring. I'm sure few outsiders would think of Dundee as a beautiful city, but everyone who's been here knows.

<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&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> T Ann cake

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's west end on a summer evening has the feel of a vibrant area in a larger city. Magdalene green is so sunny and sociable it can be like being in any other european park of a sunny afternoon with people siesta-ing, walking their dogs, socialising, playing sports having barbeques. And theres hardly any traffic. Theres loads of events on related to the university whatever your interests are!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> So many different things for a variety of ages etc.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Ive been around the world and yet the view entering Dundee from Fife across the Tay Road Bridge still gives me goosebumps.Simply astounding...

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is an amazing city that continually re-invents itself - I've worked my 30 years career in the city's manufacturing community. We and I have experienced many major kicks in the teeth over the years however we always bounce back. We have so much innovation and creativity for a small city, it is truly staggering and it is actually world class. I know because I've seen it first hand and we need to tell the world how good we are. Technology and Engineering can be a beautiful thing and compliments a city of culture!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the setting on the river and the way the sky continually changes but what gets me every time is the unexpected humour of the people.

<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> I like it that the city is always clean and the flower beds are tidy in the winter and blooming in the summer months.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved to Dundee nearly a decade ago now and I'm still amazed by the incredible generosity, warmth and sense of community evident throughout the city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Personally, I feel that Dundee is an amazing city that has a lot to offer. Walking up Law Hill to the top to see the most beautiful sights. You can walk along the beach in broughty ferry which is a personal favourite of mine during the summer. There's a lot of parks to sit and relax in the summer. The people are always kind and helpful when in need. I have lived here for the past 3 years whilst at the university and it has to be one of the best experiences I have had so far!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As a young Fifer, I rarely visited Dundee except to shop. Now I live and work in Dundee and feel part of the whole cultural environment

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> City of nature. Lush green, fantastic landscapes, stunning views of Tay from every corner of city. A city for nature lovers.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As an incomer I have discovered so many hidden wonders, from her Industrail Heritage in Jute, Jam and Journalism to the strength and vitality of the women of the city, as Civil Rights and Trade union Leaders as well as religious icons. Dundee's history is a wonderful web of intrigue enriched by her people.
I love that the Universities integrate so well and add to that.
We have much to be proud of! A walk round Balgay Cemetery tells amazing stories.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> We have everything you need - all within easy reach. The city has lots of culture to explore and just beyond countryside to be amazed by.
We as a family love it.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Anyone lucky enough to see Gardyne's Land before it was turned into a Youth Hostel will know that Dundee was, once upon a time, a very influential city, not only in Scotland but Britain.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> That we sit on a rift valley, with Dundee on one side of the rift, and Fife the other: there really is an age between one side of the tay estuary and the other!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amazing work our volunteer organisations do with the youth of today – be it Girls Brigade, Boys Brigade, Brownies, Guides or Scouts and not forgetting the many sports teams, community centres, dance or music classes that Dundee volunteers support. The many volunteers who help the sick, elderly, vulnerable, meals on wheels, support charity shops, fundraising events, support at courts and hospitals and many other tasks not listed.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Scotland's Jute Museum at Verdant works.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's spirit. The people are so friendly, the atmosphere incredibly warm and welcoming, and the City as a whole is just such a wonderfully positively-spirited place to work, play and live.

<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> Walking down from Tin Roof, Generator, and the art school to have a pint and lively discussion at the Art Bar... perhaps stopping by DCA or the Rep later. Most of the cultural spots in Dundee are within easy walking distance of each other, creating a fantastic friendly atmosphere where you will probably bump into someone you know along the way.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has such an interesting history for a relatively small city. There's plenty evidence to see as you walk about. The two universities bring a large student population and a youthful dynamic. Dundee has some beautiful parks and scenery and the silvery Tay is never too far away.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The humour and resilience of the people from Dundee. A sometimes self-depreciating fondness and pride of where we are from, despite the fact it has gone through some hard times Coming into Dundee from Fife, the city has a presence about it. Left 10 years ago, and would move back tomorrow if I could. And Goodfellows chocolate violets are my favourite thing in the world!

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