:: We Dundee

We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

2791

PEOPLE AND GROWING

I love Dundee’s green spaces! It is a small place with lots of country parks. I love being in a bustling city but with the choice of seeking a quiet spot, surrounded by nature if I wish.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Artist Matt Stoke's award-winning film 'Long After Tonight' was part of DCA's Our Surroundings exhibition (2005). Matt filmed Northen Soul dancers from across the UK in St Salvadors chuch over two evenings. The result was breathtaking. It brings tears to my eyes everytime I watch it.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> What i love about dundee is Balgay park, the gorgeous hidden forrest trails, the wildlife living there, An observatory, the ancient graveyard you can explore for days, the haunted bridge ... the rose garden...i could go on. I have spent so many weekends of my life swinging on those brilliannt swings overlooking the gorgeous greenery of the hill. One of the best parks i have ever been to and a real dundee gem.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The City has lovely walks down at riverside.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The aspiring and positive nature of the city, coupled with the friendliness and incredibly welcoming atmosphere combines to provide a city which nurtures locals, guests and visitors alike, including the many students whom all grow to love their new environment.
There is an extremely vibrant social diversity throughout this city and a genuine excitement surrounding the gradual, yet very noticeable continuing improvements; revitalising OUR Dundee.
City of Culture 2013, 14, 15, 16 AND 2017!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has gone through an incredible creative regeneration. With the imminent arrival of V&A, the refurbishment of McManus and a flourishing dance community, the city has an abundance of creativity. It's already a City of Discovery. A city ready and well poised to further discover it's creative future. Bring on the City of Culture!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> For quite a small, old industrial city Dundee has so much to offer. From the indepedantly run gallery and cinema the DCA to the recently renovated McManus Gallery. There is also a whole host of events going on week to week in smaller venues such as the Generator projects and Tinroof... This place is alive with art and culture which I believe will continue to grow and grow

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love that Dundee is striving to improve and has so much to offer from Football at Junior & Senior level,the Science Centre, Art at McManus & DCA and a brilliant rep theatre. We're on the river, near beautiful beaches and countryside and a thriving city! Beautiful buildings in The Caird Hall, Morgan Academy, McManus Gallery & Custom House

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> for being so small there is loads to see we have done alot with what we have a deserve to win!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Law - one of the finest view points in Scotland. Inspirational.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> One of the buried hidden secrets for me is the old Dundee Rep Theatre. I was lucky enough to work there as a child and teenager. These opportunities embedded within me a voice, a confidence and an understanding of others.
It also catapulted me into drama school, teaching and lecturing in colleges and universities across Scotland.
Dundee introduced me to the Drama and shaped my personal,professional and cultural life/lifestyles.
Work has taken me away for 35 years and I only returned 2 years ago.
A working class "laddie fae the scheme" who turned "oot no too bad!"
I am not the hero in this story..Dundee is!! Cityof Discovery indeed!!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Not sure if this is what you're after, but what I love about Dundee is getting out of it!
Nothing beats a cycle up Auchterhouse hill, sitting on top of the world in the Sidlaws overlooking the city that you've just escaped, the Tay, Tentsmuir , the Carse all laid out before you. There's no exclusivity or snobbishness up there - every man and his dog (in jeans or lycra) feel privileged to bear witness to such a beautiful sight.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Broughty Ferry on a sunny day, the views of the Tay are spectacular and it's always nice having a castle!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people are so friendly. I get lots of foreign visitors at work and they all say this.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The sunshine! Dundee is Scotland's sunniest city. Plus, there's a real buzz about the city city these days. It's a place I choose to live in.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I studied Fine Art at DJCA and my experience there, the aspiration and belief it had, and that living in the city provided, all instilled aspiration in me beyond measure. The dynamics of being a student in the city was way beyond the comparative scale of the city, the environment was rich in enquiry and expertise, pride in the city was palpable and the attitude positive and open towards everyone. I miss the obvious 'cultural highlights' but I miss the warmth of the people and old Dens Rd Market.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The well in the Botanic Garden that never runs dry!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> For such a small city Dundee punches well above it's weight when it comes to musical talent. Dundonains were involved in bands such as The Average White Band in the 1970's to to The View in the 2000's. I was also surprised to learn that the Blues Festival held in Dundee is the biggest free blues music festival in Europe.

<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> The beauty of the Tay. We have a outstanding feature that most other Scottish cities do not have.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Beach, parks, forests, mountains within a half hour, brilliant scenes going on all the time. Just bra.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The richness of the art scene!
In the late Nineties I enjoyed going to exhibitions and events in London. Now I'm getting the same buzz from openings and exhibitions here in Dundee. Thanks to DCA, DJCAD, Generator and several generations of art students who have stuck around the city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I loved Dundee's people and their accent. It took getting used to but I soon came to love it and the many words I never knew exsited.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I was first dragged kicking and screaming from London to here by a Dundee girl 18 years ago but I have never regretted the move. I have watched the City transform itself over the years and I am really looking forward to seeing the completed waterfront and what will be the iconic V&A

<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> Dundee just does things. No messing around. If they want something to happen they just make it so.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> 'Forgotten' history and potential...

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The friendly people, the amazing views over the Tay, the Rep, the parks.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The citizens of Dundee are what make it such a vibrant city. They are open, friendly, and helpful, and seem to adapt easily to change. This approach to life is fully deserving of the City of Culture award.

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

<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 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> I have lived in Dundee 3 times: in the early 70s, the early 80s and now since the early 2000s: physically, the city has been transformed and mostly for the better, with some glaring exceptions. But the people have not really changed - still as friendly, as awkward, as forthright, as loud as ever. They prove you don't have to go to glasgow for these sterling qualities. And the people, not the DCA, the Rep, the bridges, the Tay, the Law - all unique - , are what make the city.

<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> Ease of travel. The DCA, handy city center and a great university city

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is an amazing place. As someone who has moved here, I have always been made to feel welcome. The city has a great feeling of space, wide skies, large parks and the Tay. My favourite area is Broughty Ferry, with the Fisherman's Tavern live music, Vissochi's ice cream and the beautiful sandy beach.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Discovering foody gems like 'The Cheesery' and 'T-Ann Cake' both on Exchange Street just a few hundred yards off the High Street.

<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 annual 'Dundee Blues Bonanza' is a great event for meeting people from all over the UK and Europe. Lots of bands, large and small, play in cafes and bars all over the City and also do music workshops, for young and old!! It's the biggest 'free' Blues Bonanza in Europe and this year is it's19th anniversary!

<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> Dundee has a distinctive culture and tradition and is big enough to have at least one of everything, that makes a city worth living in and visiting - and of course there is more to come. It also a view from the top of the Law that takes your breath away - while also looking like a child's picture book of a city. Where else can you watch - all at the same time - a train crossing a bridge, a plane about to land, ships leaving harbour, and a cityscape set in the most beautiful natural surroundings.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Beautiful green areas, lovely views from different areas over the river Tay. The people are lovely! Never knew how much it has to offer - actually thinking of moving there from Kent!

<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> Dundee is lovely city, I was impressed by the cleanliness in the city and the commitment that people have in their jobs. I attended the epidemiology classes and it was amazing. the reception on arrival was fantastic, the organization was lovely. we had wonderful lecturers who were knowledgeable. The rooms where we were putting up were lovely and we also had a wonderful kitchen where we prepared our meals. I also admired your public relations. keep up the lovely culture. bravo and have a lovely time during your Bid. I would love to visit Dundee again and enjoy their hospitality

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> When I told people I was moving to dundee everyone back home was under the impression that it was a nasty city - dirty and full of trouble.
I've lived here 2 years now and loved every second.
This bid could help change people's opinions and could help show them all that dundee has to offer.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Twenty odd years ago I was first acquainted with Dundee as a part of the design team for the Discovery project and I now have a home just outside of the city. My main responsibility was the design of things on-board the ship itself which included the flock of sheep (not as big as it could have been) on the shore, etc. It was a period of great energy and creativity, but was grounded in solid research.
At that time there was a lot of talk about how good things in the city could be, and most of it has happened plus a lot more. The later things such as the V&A are an extension of that vision for culture whilst not loosing sight of the past. This is the core of Dundee.
The whole place has a 'life' to it and all of its attractions are not only for visitors, but are of relevance to all who live there.
I am thinking in particular of the McManus, the DCA & the Rep'. It has a dynamic student population and a world class Art & Design School in The Duncan of Jordanstone.

The proposed long term plan for the waterfront looks as though it should work well, and take advantage of the truly wonderful river aspect. But whilst I am glad to see the back of the Council Tower, various blocks of flats & the Olympia pool, the Railway station & the ex Stakis/Hilton might be a loss in terms of architectural progression - not all '70ies was bad.

The Unicorn needs to be integrated much more into the scheme of things, it is a gem, and perhaps a museum of transport and the docks, should be considered, in particular as unlike at a lot of other places, the docks still work.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The views of the estuary from the city, every time I see them, blow me away. Dundee is an area of outstanding natural beauty. The seals and dolphins don't hurt either (unless you are trying to windsail, in which case they can get in the way).

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> From McGonagall to International Book Prize
From Science Sensation to Arts Centre
From Botanical Garden to Dens Park
From yacht racing to ancient warship
From Bell Rock Lighthouse to Balgay Observatory
From Desperate Dan to Captain Scott
From Championship Golf to Championship Curling
From aerobatics over the Tay to freezing new year swims across the Tay
From seals basking by the old bridge to skeins of geese above it
From a visionary Repertory Company to world beating Cancer Researchers
Are we A city of culture?
No, we are THE City of Culture

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The humour, the sky, the clean air.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I am origianlly from Inida and have lived in Dundee for last 22 years. This is my hometown now and I am partial to it, However I would like to say that, Dundee's one of the attractions is the tayview and beauty of it during sunset and sunrise, also Broughty Ferry beach is not too far from the city centre and every place is within reasonable distance without travelling too far. Plus it is very multicultural and endorses ethinicity. It would be fabulous for Dundee to be recognised as one of UK's City Of Culture

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The hidden community arts work that Dundee Rep do is extraordinary - speak to their Community Drama Officer

<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.

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