:: We Dundee

We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

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PEOPLE AND GROWING

What surprises me about Dundee? Perhaps I could begin with what doesn’t surprise me – the friendliness of the people, for which Dundee is rightly famous. I have lived in many places across the UK and in the US and I never felt so welcome as a newcomer. What does surprise me is the compactness of the city – everything is within a few minutes’ walk – and especially the glorious surroundings. Dundee has the most attractive location of any British city, from the always changing views over the Firth, to the Angus and Perthshire countryside. I’ve been here for eight months, and I already feel like a Dundonian.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Cheesery in Exchange Street is fab. Dorothy knows so much about the wonderful cheeses she stocks.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I am from Dundee myself but live in Norway. The thing I love about being Dundonian is that we are proud of where we come from despite often being the butt of jokes by people from other cities. When I got married in Dundee the Norwegians loved Dundee and Dundonians. There are many famous Dundonians that have contributed a lot to national and international culture. From astronomers to actors. One of my favourite places is the Mills Observatory. Hidden in the trees of Balgay, the observatory is a local gem.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As an annual visitor to this great city I can only say what a wonderful warm welcome we always receive both from staff at Caird Hall,an amazing venue, and from local people in eating places and in the street when seeking directions. A great place to be a City of Culture.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The return of its self-confidence and ambition - its always been there , but it's now being recognized. Go on Dundee!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's so vibrant and focussed on the future, not the past.

<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> There is so much individuality in Dundee's art scene, it always surprises and amazes me. It's always encouraged, supported and celebrated by a fantastic (art hungry) community.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The music scene is great!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A wealth of characters who can get along with anyone.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Dundee Mountain Festival! Always a great joy to go to. We are very lucky to hear and be inspired by epic adventurers each year, with the beauty of the great outdoors on our doorstep to enjoy afterwards.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the mixture of science, art. The life sciences research community and the art community often join together to create something surprising, whether that's participation of undergraduate artists in an international science competition, portraits of women researchers on display for the women in science festival, or art exhibitions in the zoology museum. It's amazing to see these two communities having such fun together!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a lovely wee city and an obvious choice for the UK City of Culture 2017! The view of the bridges driving along Riverside Drive are breathtaking. There are lots of lovely independant wee cafes and shops making it unique and there is so many exciting new developments taking place it really is the place to be!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I grew up in Perth and did not like Dundee. Now i am older I know this was clever spin, the term 'hidden secrets' sums up The Jewel on the Tay.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a place of great opportunity. It is easy to get in touch with folk about an idea you have and to see it brought to life without too much red-tape. The support from The McManus, in launching Nomas* Projects has been invaluable and helped build a new platform for contemporary art, here in the heart of the city!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> having lived in the city off and on for sixty years, the Dundee of today is evolving into a modern 21st century city. Twenty years ago, that seemed unbelievable....

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> My daughter was born in Dundee. She was taught sign language at Oranges & Lemons nursery when she was aged 3-4. She and her class mates performed 2 songs with signing when she moved on to school. The fact that she learnt sign language at nursery shows a great attitude to learning, and an outward looking but also inclusive culture. We love Dundee!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has seen a revolution in the past 20 years
With lots more to come
It's rich heritage, now matched by it's forward outlook makes it the ideal City of Culture,2017

<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> Wonderful memories of student life in Dundee in the early 1980s - the intimacy of a small city, the wry humour and endearing local dialect, the rich history (jam, jute and journalism), the creativity and individuality.... Small city with BIG personality!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> What it has to offer. Dundee is steeped in history and has a more diverse cultural population split today than it ever has. DUNDEE womens festivalis hugely successful......local people recognise their city as somewhere with a depth of commitment to put dundee on the map ascan internationally recognised tourist destination.........the support for V&A at Dundee....redevelopment of the waterfront....Malmaison coming to dundee...Icould go on!!!

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

<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 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> 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> 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 seals on the riverbank under the rail bridge, the amazing work and environment at Maggie's Centre, the golden light in the early morning and the fantastic views across the Tay from so many unexpected places, the Beano sculptures in City Square, the awesome organ in the Caird Hall and the talent of the actors and designers at Dundee Rep, the excellent standard of music at Bell Street, the Dundee Symphony Orchestra and the exciting art and design at Duncan of Jordanstone. Dundee is a real mix - from proud and special Graduation ceremonies celebrating student achievement to quiet everyday efforts to improve the lives of people who are really in need, through projects like the Steeple Parish Nursing project and DD1 network.

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

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Not a 'hidden secret' but Dundee is the sunniest city in Scotland and with the Law and a walk along the riverside on a nice day it is beautiful!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Scotland's sunniest city!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the absolute electricity that flows through Dundee's music scene is one that will never be matched for authenticity.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dolphins in the Tay,which I can see from my bedroom window.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee was Scotland's second city for over 200 years and by area had Scotland's largest medieval city centre.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The sense of community that springs from nowhere in face of difficulties. The overwhelming positivity of community activists who will almost stop at nothing to improve their local area: see the local school or park get a new playground, tidy up the local burn, pull together to help people through difficulties, and generally have a good laugh while doing it all!

<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> i love Dundee!! born and bred here too! my personal feelings about Dundee involve the amazing natural talents of the Dundee people. having been involved in Community Drama for over 30 yrs,i have came across Dundee people who are dedicated and passionate about arts in the community,wether it be drama,dance music visual art etc. the talent is amazing,and has been for many years,my only criticism would be we(Dundee fowk) tend to be a bit shy at singing their own praises,therefore,some talented people slip through the net,we have to be supported in keeping community arts alive n kicking!hopefully the arrival of the V&A will open up community projects to the wonderful people of Dundee

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Loadsoweemensingin at the Rep Theatre!

<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 views in Dundee are fantastic. There is lots to do and see! You couldn't visit Dundee for just a day, you would have to take a whole week!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Davy's ice-cream parlour in Lochee was where my parents courted in the 1950s - they introduced me and my brother to the unique delicious flavour in the 1970s and 1980s.

<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 think Dundee is much more beautiful than a lot of people realise. There are some stunning buildings and because so much of it is on a hill there are some beautiful views of the river. I like going to the graveyard next to the Westpark Conference Centre and looking across the river.

Other things I like about Dundee - the DCA, the amazing Dundee Roller Girls roller derby team, the Creative Dundee movement that seems to be developing, the little independent shops and cafes that are hidden away and some of the lovely green spaces we have.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'm always struck by how good it feels to see so much going on all around me. Just last night I was walking up the Queen's steps from the Greenmarket to the Perth Road amongst people just leaving Dundee Science Centre, excitedly discussing the Cafe Science talk they had just seen. They all soon merged with people gathered outside the DCA who were themselves indistinguishable from the theatre goers all heading towards the Rep to begin their evening's entertainment. Great to see.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is best viewed from the top of a bus. The rooftops are amazing. Then climb to the top of the Law for wonderful views and aching legs. Approaching Dundee from any side makes you feel as though you are coming home.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The friendliness of the people and the continuing willingness to embrace what we have and promote it to the World!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The view from the law hill is one of Dundee's hidden gems and allows you to see the evolving story of the changes occurring in Dundee, and still view it's past, it's present and its future.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Art bar, Reading Rooms and DCA!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> All you have to do in Dundee is look up. The architecture and features are amazing at rooftop level. Amazing buildings too...Morgan Academy, Caird Hal & many more.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Fantastic little city, great energy and richness especially in young artistic community, tremendous sense of history diversity and investment in the future

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Every time I come back I find a new discovery - hidden beaches, dramatic cliffs, castle ruins - within a stone's throw of the city centre.

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