:: We Dundee

We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

2791

PEOPLE AND GROWING

Working in Dundee for the past 6 years I have noticed positive efforts to change the face of the city. This has been, on the whole, embraced by residents re-enforcing pride in where they live. Speaking to a number of residents, I have noted a growing wish to be more involved in how the improvements can be sustained and used in promoting Dundee as a progressive, thriving city moving with the times, and in many opinions exceeding expectation.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's under appreciated (and mostly free) music scene showcases a huge array of local talent and really makes me proud of what the people of this city are capable of achieving.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee doesn't deny its flaws, instead uses the wide range of skills that its diverse population has to offer to tackle problems. The range of voluntary and statuary services in Dundee amazed me when I started working in the voluntary sector, and I'm proud to say I've been part of it. The city has a bad reputation that it doesn't deserve, I've lived here for 4 years since coming for university and I'm reminded on a daily basis why I decided to stay!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I think that Dundee has a unique character. I used to live in Peddie Street and the rear lane was Taits Lane - with high walls and the anticipation of beautiful secret gardens behind the tenements. And then the Law with its fabulous views. John Warren.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The wealth of artisitic talent we have in this City is truly amazing! The Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design Degree Show is a cultural highlight during the summer months. If you haven't been before - GO THIS YEAR!!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The "couthy-ness" of people here!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the view over the tay is breathtaking as is the view from the Law

<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> 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> Jute, Jam and Journalism

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> All my non- Dundonian friends , from all over, comment on the warmth and friendliness and humour of the people they meet .
Our city is full of surprises if you take the time to look. One of my favourites is our public observatory atop Balgay Hill. Accessible to all and wonderfully educational . I love our city and love living here. My latest secret is the new , free , WalkJogRun initiative . Brilliant idea and we can take in the stunning views of the River Tay and the Sidlaws en route. And then there's the
sunshine -------

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> We are a world centre for life sciences as well as a world centre for the games industry and animation. We have two top class universities, an excellent college and one of the highest students per head of population ratios in the UK. Dundee has been through hard times but the regeneration that's happening in the city has to be seen to be believed.Without entirely losing sight of its past, the city is thrusting its way into the future. It's an exciting time particularly with the waterfront regeneration to include the V&A as well as the city's first 5*Hotel.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Lovely arty city with friendly people, close to the sea and the hills. There is also a thriving student community supported by Dundee University which is a first class University

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

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its modernisation at last along with the growth in the student community which has started to increase the cafe culture in the city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Museums - Discovery, McManus Gallery, and Verdant Works are all fantastic visitor attractions.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a city of many surprises, including our museums, our landscape, and our hidden gems like the howff graveyard. A medieval graveyard in beautiful condition.
Everyone here is incredibly friendly, and we merge the past and the future, only in Dundee do you find a university leading the way in technology and gaming, and one of the oldest universities in Scotland!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It is a beautiful city with a surprising amount of things to do for a city of its size. It has a large amount of independant shops, cafes and bars which add extra personality to the city. The student life is amazing, tonnes of things to do, most things a walkable distance away from the centre/university campus, lots of support and events from the University, great resources with the Library, DCA, ISE Gym. Dundee also has the Science Museum, Art Museum, The Discovery and it is the home of The Beano and The Dandy!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> St. Peter's Free Church of Scotland is probably the greatest place and family in the city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> lochee parks Bonfire Display

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amount and variety of bars the city has to offer

<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> the flowers....Dundee parks department does a great job with wonderful floral displays throughout the city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> For a city of its size, Dundee punches well above its weight - for good and the bad. While there are many problems to solve, thankfully the great cultural and social movements underway in the city are driving change on a scale that could have real positive impact.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the amazing academics here within the city, that come from all over the world.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I believe that Dundee has so much history and plays an important part in other countries throughout the world with its contribution to science, technology and the arts throughout the years and continues to do so today. With recent community development/regeneration, I am impressed that we are still incorporating our history in to modern design. Well Done Dundee!!

<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> Dundee is the perfect city size - big enough to have great shops, restaurants, theatres and other amenities, but small enough to have a cosy, community feel. I love this city!!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> All my stuff is here.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The rich and dazzling diversity of faiths and cultures which Dundee is home to is truly unexpected and fascinating. Dundee celebrates community better than any city I know and champions traditional and contemporary arts, theatre and dance. The Scottish Dance Theatre, The Rep Theatre, The DCA etc. etc. etc. The Nilupul Centre with it's traditional Buddhist Shrine room and artwork is a real 'hidden gem'.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A stunning location and a city with a wonderful heart. It could be one of the greats.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The welcome, the activity, the music, the drama, the films, the plays, the art - within Dundee and within reach of Dundee.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I had never visited Dundee before moving here for Art School in 2004. Since then I have made it my home. The best bit about Dundee is that it feels like a big village, you're always bumping into someone you know. Yet, as a city it has lots to do. The thriving cultural scene is rivalling Glasgow and Edinburgh and with all the new developments it will only get better. Once you get used to the Dundonian accent the people are great, so friendly and fun :)

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The best friendships I've had have been those which constantly redefine themselves over a long period of time. That's the way I feel about Dundee. As someone who was born here, Dundee is a place that has meant a variety of different things for me as I have grown older particularly within the arts. The Dundee Schools music programme is a great way to get people involved in music from a young age, giving you the confidence to develop into a talented young adult. The music scene has always been fantastic, with places such as beat generator, putting on local talent and the recent programming of WestFest during the summer months this is something that continues to grow. Music is just one example of how Dundee thrives within the arts, we have the literary Festival, the science festival and a festival of shorts for designed purely for children. This is unique as far as I am aware. The talent is not just imported here from all over the globe, it also nurtured here, in the young which is extremely important.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Coming from Edinburgh, I didn't know much about the rich history of industry and the variety in which it came in. But after studying at the university's art college for four years, I have learned a great deal about that history. I imagine a successful bit would help bolster and reignite the city's connection with what once made it a great place.

<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> What you can find just around the corner - from lovely old bars to the Discovery, from Universities to old schools, lovely old buildings to the modern - sitting side by side. Then theres the heritage - jute, jam and journalism - how diverse it that!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Great city filled with lots of wonderful things to do.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How much has changed in the past 5 years and how much will change in the future.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How cosmopolitan it is – out on Friday met Spaniards, Italians and Russians – all studying in Dundee!! So, it is already a City of Culture just need the recognition of the rest of the UK!!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design continues to 'fleh heh' as one of Britain's Top 5 art schools, but paradoxically remains a hidden gem, both locally and nationally.

<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> The vast cosmopolitanism for one. The combination of Vibrant university atmosphere and a sprawling city combine to make Dundee a pretty special place. Everything from looking at the Tay whilst on Magdalen Green or the sight of The Discovery ship as you get of the train. Awesome

<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> Never has a more creative city hidden its talents so well. Whether it be artists, jewellery designers, photographers, fashion designers, writers, food producers or dancers, Dundee has it all and more. A Scottish Montmartre... I would say it's time for the rest of the United Kingdom to hear about this secret of a city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee for me will always be the place where I found love as my future husband hails from is glorious shores!

As an American who moved to Scotland 6 years ago, choosing to live in Dundee will always be one of my greatest decisions! Loved the university experience I got while there and the city will always have a place in my heart. It is a place that has seen so many changes over the years and is constantly working to improve and rejuvenate itself.

Little city with a big personality!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> small city, huge history

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The burgeoning independent film scene (Closure, Location Scouting among others), the home of Yuck'n'Yum,lots of local bands, Ickle Film Fest, the Dundee Comics Day, the creativity of Dundonians clearly attracts more creativity.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The beautiful sunrises when i walk to work looking over the river towards Fife, the daffs when they are out in bloom, the lovely parks and open spaces, the friendliness of the people, I have lived here all my life and I love it here.

<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> 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!

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