:: We Dundee

We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

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PEOPLE AND GROWING

The city’s attraction of people from all over the world through education in some of its institutions such as the University of Dundee and Abertay University is amazing because you get a very rare opportunity of meeting people from different backgrounds and cultures. This has afforded me the opportunity of learning the cultures of other countries and peoples, and to make friends across national boundaries. Dundee is a great place when it comes to different people from diverse cultures and it is education the city provides that made this possible. Importantly, the people of Dundee (Dundonians) are so warm and friendly and always willing to assist.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the art that is around the city. There are the penguin statues outside the overgate (which have santa hats put on them for Christmas); a scary looking dragon on the high street and of course desperate dan standing in the city center. My favourites are the more modern looking metal sculptures like the paper planes which are found across from the airport.
As for a hidden secret I really like the planet trail at the Mills observatory where you can walk across the beautiful park and walk from the sun to pluto. Each planet is represented by a rock with a plaque giving information about the planet. The distances between each planet is a scaled down model of reality so it can be hard to find Neptune!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> That I always want to go back. Having had the intention of going to Dundee and getting out as soon as possible, but the combination of arts, design and regeneration leaves me seeking a return every time I leave.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is full of amazing sites, people and culture. I particularly enjoy the arts and many visits to both the Caird Hall and the Rep Theatre.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Much more to see and do in Dundee than people realise. I love to watch the seals on the sandbanks near the bridges when the tide is out.

<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> As a charity worker in Dundee I am constantly amazed at the number of people who approach me to join as a volunteer to support the people with disabilities our project works with. They are always willing to go that extra mile!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is open and welcoming with a diverse and vibrant arts culture.

<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> I think the judges would be surprised at the number of parks that are in Dundee City - Camperdown in particular is beautiful and has something for everyone. The McManus Gallery, Verdant Works, The Law and RSS Discovery are but a few attractions that are well worth a visit. Dundee City is not just grey buildings.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The City of Dundee has the current 'Scottish Hairdresser of the year' Kay McIntyre who is now in the latest member of and the only Dundonian in the British Hairdressing 'Hall of Fame'
Its also the only hair salon to have won a Regeneration Award and Commendation by the British Civic Trust...Oh and you get a great hair cut too!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The way it has constantly evolved as the traditional industries have changed with the times.
Lots of hidden secrets,some well known assets.
The rich musical heritage furthered by talented singers,songwriters and performers who just want to share their particular talent with people,not for riches.
The Finlathen aquaduct a hidden listed building taken for granted but an important reminder of a rich industrial past.Also a well known local battleground for the various"tribes".

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

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has always been a place where people just do it, just make art, just make culture happen, just work together, just get on with bringing art to the city in new ways with funding or without. The energy and vibrancy of the like of Generator, Yuk and Yum, and Duncan of Jordanstone and countless other initiatives large and small have shown that over the years. Whether it wins the bid or not, Dundee will be a city of culture in 2017, and every year. Good luck!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I am constantly surprised by additional facts about Dundee and Dundonians; from the Neolithic to the space age, Dundee has hidden its light under a bushel, and needs to be recognised for the amazing place it is.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Seals barking on the sandbanks

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people more than anything else. It's a thriving cultural place, people all lovely, helpful and so much going on. A small city with a real buzz

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> its an all round great place lots to do and lots to learn.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city ensures continual improvement.
It is an exciting time with the addition of the new V&A developments and the current improvements being rolled out in the city centre.

<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 Roseangle gallery, art exhibitions at the Botanic gardens,the paintings in the new gallery on South Tay street, the beautiful jewellery at the DCA shop...the list goes on.So much talent and so much creativity in his town.As an outsider who emigrated toDundee from India in 2001,I have watched the city reinvent itself culturally.I love Dundee and I hope to never leave.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> My mother is a from Dundee, most of mine and my brother's school holidays were spent there as children staying with our much adored Grandpa in the West end of the city. Much time was spent playing on Magdalene Green beside the Railway and the Tay (something we were never allowed to do growing up in London) which gave us a great sense of freedom. A treasured memory is happening to be staying up there when the Discovery was brought back to Dundee and the excitement and pride that people took in that event .It is a wonderful city with a rich and varied past that the city's very friendly and kind people are so much making the best of as regeneration continues very pleasingly to expand throughout it. With so much going on from the Discovery to the fantastic DCA I would recommend it to anyone as somewhere well worth a visit and a stay. I could not be more proud to say this place is where some of my family are from!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I like the way Dundee is renewing itself, learning from its past and creating beautiful, interesting places. I love attending events, knowing I will meet interesting people who have lived all their lives in Dundee and have a wealth of stories about the city. I love the history of Dundee women as outlined in the Women's Heritage Trail which shows women's creativity, imagination, enterprise and courage - qualities which have helped to make the city what it is today.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How it has improved since I was a student there in '60s

<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 amazingly beautiful and varied doors on the old buildings!! I keep finding another and another. This city is full of beautiful and quirky architecture. I also love the 'drawbridges' on many of the houses on the south side of Perth Road.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Rep, Yoga studios, community groups, arts and cratfs - it is ALL on the doorstep in Dundee; superb river front walks, country parks and a zoo within the city limits - it's all here

<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> something for every age group

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love how child friendly Dundee is - places for cake or eating out, loads of activities to do from sports activities, art & crafts, places to go like Camperdown, Botanics or the beach and so much more.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I spent 4 years in Dundee at university and discovered what a beautiful city it is. Everyone is welcoming.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I came here over 30 years ago to go to University and loved it so much I stayed. I am now proud to call this my city and my home. So much has changed, so many amazing things to learn about - who knew the reverse gear was invented by a Dundee man and that Dundee woman once owned a huge tract of Texas?!

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

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> art24sevenMedia is the newest addition to Dundee's creative and cultural activity .. It is currently a hidden secret but hopefully not for too much longer ... It is set in the heart of the cultural quarter, right opposite the Rep Theatre and a minute from DCA and Q Gallery. It gives artists opportunity .. And art lovers another venue to source quality art!

<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> Andrew Wighton bequeathed one of the world's finest collections of Scottish national and traditional music to the City in 1861. It has been preserved by the Council in the Central Library and the music is performed regularly by Friends of Wighton.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> We are so fortunate to live here - we have the river, the hills, and best of all, good people!

<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> Dundee's setting is utterly stunning, its history is fascinating, its people warm, friendly and honest. From art galleries to community theatre, Dundee's cultural scene is growing and blossoming. What a fantastic choice Dundee would be for City of Culture 2017.

<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> 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> When I look back on my youth in Dundee having been brought up and played in the "auld tenements" I only visualize my very early past in grey, black and white. It was a typical city with factories and smoke. Now - what a change - its colourful. The new buildings, the green park areas, the Tay and the City Quay. Cannot wait for the completion of all the work that is being carried out whcih is bring a breath of fresh air to what can be called again Bonnie Dundee.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> City Hall, Kinetic Sculpture, beautiful river across the hills.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I think Broughty Ferry is one of Dundee's little gems, lovely little seaside village, great little shops, cafes, bars and restaurants.

<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> I was born and bred in Dundee and no matter where I have gone in the world I have always been pulled back. Dundee has a magical quality which my father kept alive for us through tales of glass staircases and worthies! As a nurse in Dundee I have had the privilege to have met and looked after a diverse and colourful cast of characters! I love our city and the people in it!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amount of independent, creative businesses springing up, collaborating and supporting each other - and organisations like Fleet Collective and Tin Roof which help make collaborations possible.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The cultural diversity for such a small city

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