We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

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PEOPLE AND GROWING

Support Dundee

A City of poverty and richness beyond your wildest dreams. Now a City thats modest and Cool like no other

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There are hidden riches within the University of Dundee - for example the William McTaggart painting in the waiting room at the Dental Hospital. It was gifted by William Boyd, first chairman, a noted art collector who actually sold a Van Gogh to endow our first chair of dental surgery (though at the time he would have got more money if he'd sold the McTaggart!)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The continuous evolution of the city as the various individual developments and changes come together.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved back to Dundee because of the emerging visual art scene. It is fresh and different from anything I have encountered elsewhere - guaranteed humour and good times! Brilliant live art has emerged from this city - including Gammamoth Institute, Pester + Rossi and Ganghut
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> No Body's Fool..... Dundee is the peoples city. Bordering now on all sides by Dundee relocaters Inclduing heading up the coast to Monifieth and beyond....invergowrie and Inchture and beyond including Newport, Tayport and St Andrews. Dundee has a great surrounding of People offering artisan, cultural and musical ideas and delivering something special for and too our City.
To me Dundee has it all .....too small to be a big shot and so different that you canna forget her!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is vibrant with a historic combination of post-industrial feel coupled with an exciting new and positive outlook. The cultural heritage of the Tay, the UKs largest river by volume, and its gateway to the iconic mountains of scotland give it a unique feel. Being new to Dundee and having fresh eyes, the thing that strikes me most is the friendliness and desire to get things right. This includes ambitious plans for sustainable futures, and a University that is at the heart of ideals for transformation.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> When I first came to Dundee about 20 years ago, the city certainly did not look like much. But I've met some of the warmest people of my life there and fell in love with the place. Since then, the great people are still here, and the city has upgraded itself visually as well as culturally with a lot of cultural events and activities going on from high culture down to grass roots level. I keep coming back.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The site where Mary Shelley stayed, our public observatory (only two in the UK), our incredible views over the Tay from the Law Hill, our parks, our beach, our football teams.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a city that continues to grow and develop with the times. Dundee has an ineresting history from whaling, the famous three J's - Jute, Jam and Journalism to developing the gaming industry, art, music, writting, science, drama, dance and sport. We also have the exciting prospect of the V&amp;A development which will bring with it more job opportunites and strengthen the industry and culture. There is something for everyone in Dundee - McManus Galleries and museum, the law hill and its panoramic views of the city, the Mills Observatory, Broughty Ferry beach (and the famous Visocchi's for homemade icecream), The Rep, Verdant Works, Sensation, The DCA, Magdalen Green and the bandstand - the list can go on and on. The general atmosphere and friendliness of the people in Dundee is something that is always a pleasant surprise
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> ...the huge pot of creative talent and the wealth of optimism in the city generally.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> We have such a vast amount of interesting places and things to do. My great grandchildren are here for Easter so we intend doing The Rock Garden/Broughty Ferry Castle/Sensation Centre/DCA/Verdant Works etc etc. and their excitement is hard to contain. Also as a family we think Dundee has one of the best music scenes going on as well.
<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> Dundee is a bustling, vibrant city but you can still walk down the High Street and expect to see a familiar face. It is a mixture of old and new, exciting and reflective, multi-cultural and friendly. You can sit and stare at the fabulous panoramic view over the river and a stranger will offer you a sweetie and a "bit chat." A wonderful Uni and an art house movie theatre sit next door to an awesome chippy and beautiful church. It's hard to live far from Dundee!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> .
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Well Dundee is my home city and I just love it! The people are fun and friendly. Eh just love the way we speak! Pure teckle!
There are loads of amazing parks to take the bairns - the swannie ponds is fab in Summer and Winter - I grew up with stories of ice skating on the ponds.
Tannadice is hallowed ground - I grew up there with my uncle and cousins, and now my wee boy is United daft too. And what about the brilliant Michael Marra's song about Hamish McAlpine and Grace Kelly!
The Lochee baths - aye freezing, Victorian splendour and full of characters.
St. Mary's Lochee Catholic Church - absolutely beautiful - and funded by Irish immigrants that helped build the population of Dundee from the 1840s.
Juteopolis - a brilliant book about Dundee and its people.
The Cleppie Road - and the imaginary 'secret tunnel' that goes from Aunty Isabel's bin store on the Cleppie, underground to Tannadice. (Ok - so its not real but its in my imagination).
Lawside Academy - my young days of joy roaming the streets of Downfield and Ardler with my pals - days out up the "Seedlees" (Sidlaws) with picnics, swinging over the Dighty Burn on a rope swing.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love that even in this vibrant, creative and exciting city you can also relax and enjoy a walk along the river. I love trying to spot seals on the sand banks, listening to the shrill cries of oyster catchers to see and the smell of the sea as I walk along with the Tay gently lapping on the sea wall.

You can also enjoy dolphin watching trips from Broughty Ferry in the summer.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The quite and calm streets, diversity and cultural richness of Dundee are the most spectacular part of my memories; so much that I would love to come again and again. Discovery and Verdant Works take us back in history when courage was the only saviour of mankind. The mini gardens around the Dundee Law, all grown by citizens, is another experience I would like to recommend and replicate in Pakistan. And of course, best of all, the University of Dundee...
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love Dundee my home I grew up its inspire me of education, historys, tourest attractions, museums friendly people and have everything for events all preformance and the pipe bands is my big thing and Broughty Ferry Gala week is great. radio 1 weekend in 2006, waterfront , Science, Jazz and Blues, Discovery ship, Jute Mill, Rep Theatre, lots of activity for the city of cuture.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I think Dundee would be great as the city of culture 2017. The city is just packed with loads to do from its Rep Theatre, DCA, Macmanus Galleries or the fantastic shops and fine dining. Dundee has everything that the big cities have - all in one convenient, compact, clean, safe and extremely friendly (oh, and sunny) city.
Good luck!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Howff offers a sanctuary in the middle of the city for a quiet conversation, a relaxed sandwich or just a moment of contemplation. Centuries of history offer snapshots of lives and a reminder that what's most important is what you leave behind for others.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A real sense of community and a buzz about the wealth of creativity in all areas - there are so many opportunities for all to be involved in the many exciting events, festivals and new developments in the city. It has a fabulous waterfront setting with glorious sunsets to inspire you - and a cracking cafe culture too!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's location at the mouth of the Tay offere unparalled natural beauty and light unlike any other.

The natural sense of pride the locals have in their city is well-deserved, it has incredible history from it's exporting days, fantastic educationional establishments today and a never ending culture of change in the lifestyles and culture of its people.

I lived there, first as a student and then working, for 17 years. I love the place. Sitll do. The best friends I have in this world still live there. There's a reason for that too.
<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.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There's an incredible creative scene here, from the universities and colleges, to the artist studios, to the galleries and live music events.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I take Dundee for granted, every time I visit another city, even bigger ones, I'm amazed there are more events, talks, gigs and exhibitions going on back home - I've never seen the range of things going on in any other city with the exception of some major metropolitan areas - Dundee really punches above its weight with its cultural events! Also - huge deal - so many of them are free!! Which lets EVERYONE benefit.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have lived here all my life and can see the changes in the city, we have a rich cultural heritage and a diverse population, and Dundee continues to grow and evolve. Dundee has struggled against a negative image that it does not deserve, and communities are gaining strength and resilience through local projects and volunteering. Dundee used to look tired and old-fashioned when I was growing up, but the new developments, cultural sights and Overgate shopping centre make it a place that people come especially to visit.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The growth of the University of Dundee &amp; the student activities it offers is fantastic. I worked in the students association for 4 happy years &amp; it inspired me to develop my career. I now live in New York!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> At first it always feels like something might not be 'right' for Dundee but there's such a diversity of people and interests that anything you want to create or do, you can find an audience for.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has so many positive attributes from our two universities, burgeoning game industry, our waterfront project is going to be a game changer.

So many wondeful people/achievements have come from Dundee that winning the City of Culture would help the next generation achieve even more
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> strolling through parts of Dundee it can be sometimes uncertain whether we are beholding the longings of yesteryear or the imaginings of today. Dundee's old mills are fascinating reminders of its industrial history, intriguing features in the city fabric. Dundee feels like a contrast between a little scottish town and a truly cosmopolitan vibe. Facilities like those of the Print Studio at the DCA draw artists &amp; creative people from all over the country.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> GENRAL GRANT'S VISIT TO DUNDEE

When U.S. Grant paid a visit to my home town,
They spruced it up with a lick of paint
And then they showed him round,
Two bands played in fierce competition
As the rain came down,
And the General said, "What a mighty long bridge to such a mighty little ole town."

A man called Walsh hung from a window
With the Starts and Stripes,
And the orphan boys sang, "Alouette"
It was sweetness and light,
But as they sang the fire bell rang
And they ran for their lives,
"What well trained little orphans and a precious little song."
Said the General's wife.

A carriage was called to the Magdalen Green,
Before the darkness fell,
With a short stop over for the ladies convenience,
At the Royal Hotel,
And the General frowned through the last of the speeches
Though he took it well,
"What a pretty little bandstand, what lovely little steeple,
What charming little houses and such cheerful little people,
But what a mighty long bridge for such a mighty little ole town."

- Michael Marra.
<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 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> Coming from Perth my perception of Dundee was always negative until work brought me here in 2004. Dundee in general has surprised me, continues to evolve and in turn surprises friends who I bring to the city. It is hard to explain but I feel comfortable here. Dundee is home.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The view coming over the Tay Bridge by train. Awe inspiring
<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 warms my heart. It is the city I fell in love in, made my best friends in and have grown up in.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I work as a community health worker for dundee healthy living initiative and cover Whitfield Fintry and mill o mains the local people who get involved helping to make their community a wealthier healthier and greener environment are amazing Cx
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the inscription of McGonagall's poem about the Tay Bridge Disaster, along the pavement on Riverside Drive. It was a joy to literally stumble upon it.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> My musical home. I was 15 when I played my first ever gig at The Shore in Dundee. A city with a thriving and diverse music scene like no other.
Su, Panda Su
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Beano Comics! Knowing they are published by D. C. Thomson, a Dundee publishing company makes each and every annual/comic given to me by my grandparents that little bit more special!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> art bar, speedwells, parlour, djcad, dca, pheonic, frasers, grouchos.. thats dundee city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Living out with the city, I find it very uplifting travelling over the bridge to what I consider my hometown. There is a great creative buzz floating around in all that friendliness. DCA, SDT, the Rep to name only a few, have together raised the profile and given us a city to be proud of - Dundonians are proud people and now they have a lot to be proud about!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has many hidden treasures; it is steeped in unspoken history, for example 'the walled City'or the many networks of tunnels that still exist around the City. For a city I find it a very calming place to live, with the water and the trees. People are friendly and helpful. The future for Dundee is exciting with an extremely positive vibe.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the weather the sunniest corner of scotland. all the new changes going on its going to look fab. the people and the good clean air makes dundee special for me.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The diversity of animals at Camperdown Zoo suprised me. I had no idea there was such an extensive zoo in the middle of Camperdown Park! And the diversity and uniqueness of shops in Broughty Ferry is lovely, such a change from the high street. I lived in Dundee for 10 years and visit at least once a month, and it always feels like coming home.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Goldilocks analogy definitely fits Dundee juuust right! It's a cheeky chappy of a city with lots of surprises to keep you smiling (SPOILER: mosaic waiters will greet you outside Agacan, a fierce dragon rules the high street and penguins waddle around a triple whammy mega church, which faces Mecca)...

When the sun is shining and the water's sparkling, life feels pretty darn Dandy here, sprawled out on Magdalene Green or Baxter Park with some good tunes and funny people.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's a great city to write about because it has so many different faces; such a wealth of cultures and locations and sounds and languages. Dundee is a novelist's city with many novels written in, written about, being written in and yet-to-be-written here.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The fact you can turn a corner and find an amazing piece of street art, or a medieval building or just meet an interesting character, who's always friendly and willing to share
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Love the beauty of Dundee, from the Law Hill until the River Tay. Love the poem engraved in stone as you walk by the river and how majestic the Discovery Ship is. I love to live in the city of discoveries and innovation!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The it has the small town feel while being a city. That feeling welcomed me here back in 2005 while interviewing for university. It made it feel like I belonged.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> That I would want to live In Dundee forever!...
It is a city that feels like a "vibrant village" full of friendly and inspiring people from all around the world. A magical place that keeps re-inventing itself. The V&amp;A at Dundee will be the icing on what is already a very rich cultural cake!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Why Oor Wullie hasnae got a statue!
<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> - Braithwaite's tea and coffee shop in Castle St
- Summer Sunday free brass band concert at Magdalen Green followed by drinks and food from one or more of the many bars and restaurants on Perth Rd
- The brilliant Dundee Blues Bonanza .... It introduced Home Bargains and the TJ Morris Company to the city!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> very friendly, diverse city, huge opportunities for amateur musicians.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's people are it's greatest asset. The vast majority are helpful and honest. It's been said that if you're lost in Edinburgh and ask for help, you'll be giving directions, in Glasgow they'll draw you a map, in Dundee they'll get in the car and take you there!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Baxter Park is an asset which is taken for granted. It's a complete Joseph Paxton Park with many paths to promenade on, grass to lie on(just ignore the rumblings of victorians turning in their graves!), play parks for the children to climb on and a stunning stone pavilion to get married in. When did you last visit or encourage anyone else to visit?
Friends of Baxter park
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Design houses in Dundee produce world leading technology, recognised throughout the world.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Mills observatory
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The wooden cobbles in Whitehall crescent.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee Rep and the Law Hill
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There is so much creative energy in this city; arts, history, theatre, and digital games.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a goldilocks sized city with giant ambitions. It is a melting pot of creativity and the size of the city means that people can really get together and make things happen. Pretty awsome things.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is home to a great university that combines talents from multiple fields, including science and art, and when these talents and skills are combined amazing things happen! Dundee is small but productive and innovative!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The purple lights in the trees on Perth Road.

The DCA!
<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> From the small grassroots voluntary arts organisations to the organisations, teams and Directors of the city's notable arts venues, to business that invests and sponsors culture in Dundee. Everyone has a voice and space to discuss, join in and start up. Its an inclusive city where art and culture are not out of bounds or highbrow, its open to anyone.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A city where you can go for a walk in the hills in the morning, enjoy the beach in the afternoon, and then recharge yourself with a great meal and drink before catching some live music or a play in the evening. Everything is so accessible!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I always think that there is a general feeling of 'togetherness' - Dundee is a very friendly and exciting place to be.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A world-wide hub for Life Sciences and creative digital arts. The V&amp;A project will be a potent sign of a city reborn and draw the city to its fantastic waterfront. A city where everyone pulls together to be the best that we can be, and make a difference.
<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> My grandfather was walking home from the Kirk holding his father's hand on the night the Tay Bridge came down celebrated by the most awful doggerel ever penned by the 'poet' McGonigall. I went to Queens College in 1959 and took a degree in Chemistry and Physics and returned two years ago for a reunion and was amazed at the transformation of the city from the rundown images I remember in the sixties to the lively and fascinating modern Dundee with Scott's ship and so many other attractions artistic, cultural and physical.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city of Dundee blends the past with the present. Its steeped in history has many iconic places and landmarks from east to west.
One of the advantages is that even being a city the countryside is near by with lovely villages and towns surrounding it.The scenery for most parts is eyecatchíng has historical ships castles and many more appealing things for the visitors to the City
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Magnificent St. Salvador's Church in the Hilltown is a little-known artistic and architectural gem - the only one of the famous Victorian church designer Bodley's churches in Scotland. Set in a challenging neighbourhood, it has extended its ministry of lavish worship and social action to the Hilltown for 150 years.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Two aspects of Dundee do it for me. Firstly the youthful feel to the city. Evidenced by the welcome exuberance of the student population of the city; and secondly the architectural gems that are dotted about the city and are chanced upon quite often by accident.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Unassuming. Despite the magnificent setting, the wonderful cultural quarter and being the gateway to some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery.

The courage and vision of the Council which have led to so many changes in recent years, have created confidence but lost none of that lovely unassuming and quietly courteous quality which characterises Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people! I have met so many wonderful people from.Dundee,a welcoming community without judgement. There is so much talent in the city,musicians,artists and just general friendliness!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Growing up rather poor and with some nasty experiences I came to the point in 6th year of highschool where I was ready to leave my hometown and pursue my dream of becoming a clinical psychologist. I had some outstanding achievements- sporting and otherwise- but I feared that my studying had been very much inhibited by my circumstances. The University of Dundee uniquely offered me the opportunity of summer school as a condition, having sent out an email asking of any outstanding circumstances. This holistic view and kindheartedness shone out above the other universities and I excitedly accepted.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> W.A.S.P.S studio, kate pickering @vanillainkuk, mike press, djcad
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the history of dundee is quite cool,
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I was born &amp; bred in Dundee. I now live in Sydney, Australia but my heart will always be a true dundonian. The people are great, the city keeps growing and Dundee represents the future xx
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As an outsider who moved to Dundee approximately 2 years ago, what surprised me was how friendly people are!! Even when u go to Asda they offer u a basket and are genuinely warm! Love this place!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I think we have great potential to visitors and locals in that there are great closie tours of Victorian and medeaval histories. Stuart Walker does these tours and could speak for ages on the history of Dundee but we don't do enough of these tours and promote our own town. We could do more and shout about our town from the rooftops but tend to hide and don't push ourselves enough.
Dundee folk don't shout about their town and what it has, like the Macmanus Galleries, The Unicorn, The Discovery. Up wi the bonnets of Bonnie Dundee!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city is a 'hidden secret'.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee folk have the driest wit on the planet. Their quick humour requires a very thick skin. However this goes hand in hand with true kindness and community spirit. I love Dundee!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> fantastic location and ever changing scenery
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There are so many opportunities for everyone in particular children and young people in education, and in the community through clubs and groups. Opportunities to learn to play music in an orchestra, group or band through school and outside school too. Lots of things to see and do from the Rep, DCA, the Dundee Science Centre, the Observatory, to the lovely views from the Law Hill. The history of Dundee told in the Verdant works, Discovery Quay Centre or McManus Galleries. Dundee is the City of Discovery.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a city that is full of character. Having grown up in this city, I feel very privildeged to be amongst the best people in the world. Dundonians rock! Dundee is home to the three J's; Jam, Jute and Journalism which we couldn't live without. Additionally home to the best TK Maxx and Fudge Doughnuts (courtesy of Fischer and Donaldson) in the whole entire world. Dundee, I love you!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The heart of the city to me is the university of Dundee and the Duncan of Jordanstone. Even before I was a student I was impressed by how it was a self-contained area and I enjoyed the atmosphere and diversity of life all along the Perth Road. In the summertime there are always new faces and this breathes new life into the city. It's a creative, buzzing place.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have been doing some work with school children on the Dundee Waterfront Project and their enthusiasm and pride in rejuvinating the city was truly inspiring. I know it's 'not cool' to show enthusiasm when your a teenager but they let their passion for Dundee shine through and overcome their natural reluctance to reveal their true emotions. Brilliant.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The diversity of people, individual style and unique village like feel.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a city on the up, its regeneration is bringing about a cultural reawakening that is building upon an already proud cultural heritage of music, art, and comics, the home to contemporary museums and one of the UK's finest Art and Design institutions!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> McManus Galleries - a great treasure trove!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The fantastic views over the Tay from the Law and Balgay park.

The friendliness of the locals, the fact that the two football stadiums are on the same street!

The volume of Whiskey/ Whisky in Speedies!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There is plenty to keep the kids occupied at little or no cost! From visiting The McManus Galleries to walks in Templeton Woods. Spending time at Camperdown Park with a visit to the Wildlife Centre for a very small charge. They can also expand their knowledge by visiting Dundee Science Centre or The Discovery. And there are plenty of nice cafes that are child friendly too!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is showing vision and courage to take it forward to the next generation. Dundee for me has been about the next generation through the ages - its famous for Jute, Jam and Journalism - but it is also now famous for life sciences, computer gaming. I am also surprised that so many cultural icons hail from or live in Dundee - its a wee city which punches above its weight.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Rama Thai restaurant is wonderful as is Parlour Cafe and the city is vegetarian/vegan friendly compared to most, especially of this size.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The fantastic food spots on offer! The overall vibe from the city is great!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It has everything we need in terms of culture: we have the DCA with it's exhibitions and workshops and the cinema which brings films not always shown at Cineworld. Both cinema's have regular showings of live opera from the Met, and cineworld had regular showings of big rock bands. Soon we will have the V&amp;A which I'm so looking forward to.

In terms of leisure we have a brand new swimming pool opening soon, and Dundee has two major league football clubs and several amatuer clubs. There are many great places to eat like Marco Polo in the centre of town and several Indian and Turkish restaraunt up the Perth Road. There are many places to drop in for coffee and home made food like the wonderful T An Cake (not sure I've spelled that right) There is also a wide variety of shops including tradtional shops like Braithwaites who are sellers of teas and coffees from around the world.

Last, but not least, is the setting of the city itself: there are many green spaces with Camperdown Park as the main place to go for a picnic and a stroll, there are the walks along the Riverside, and there are the beautiful beaches at Broughty Ferry....and beyond, the coastal scenery going toward Monifeith and Carnoustie.

I came to Dundee 25 years ago to College and much has changed in the city since, except it's friendliness and welcome of the outsider. With the two universities and colleges and the Duncan of Jordanston School of Art, Dundee is a cosmapolitan city, with students from around the world and Indian, Pakistani, Polish and Romanian folk settling in the city and rubbing along together very well. Dundee has many churches; a beautiful mosque and a Sihk Gudwarra. This melting pot gives the city it's richness and expansiveness.

I now live across the water in Fife but feel Dundee is my city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Once apon a time, I was that little Dundonian school girl who had a dream to be a famous dancer, every week I popped up to the local tayside ballet to follow my dream, one day I auditioned for the top dancing school In the country and to my surprise I was accepted,Dundee council generously offered to pay my fees to attend, THE DANCE SCHOOL OF SCOTLAND, not knowing that I would also be accepted to one of the leading ballet schools in the world, ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET, once again Dundee was there to support me, now I'm a choreographer.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Scotland's only Frank Gehry building is in Dundee (Maggie's Centre at Ninewells). Dundee should be looking to commission more as they are attractions in themselves !
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> So many wonderful Victorian buildings and 9 times out of 10 the sun is shining
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As someone who has lived in and visited many great cities, I have to say that for such a small city Dundee has such a vibrant cultural community driven in large part by the universities and the multicultural students it attracts. The Reading Rooms can rival any club/music venue I've ever visited and I have tried desperately to find somewhere which satisfies in the way it does. The music is varied and never rests on its laurels. The arts, design and fashion communities are so innovative and willing to take chances. The city is steeped in history but refuses to let it define its future.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is full of strong characters who bind our communities together with a shared sense of resolve, grit and determination. I am always struck by the strong sense of identify that exists in Dundee and how when implemented can be a real force for positive change. That identity is not something that comes through nothing but through a development of a particularly strong culture.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has such a great location - between the Tay with it's dolphins and seals and the fabulous Angus glens. Great art centres, museums, theatre, cafe's - it's diverse, yet on a scale that feels more like a big village than a impersonal urban sprawl. And I the Wellgate clock - when I was little my grandpa would take me to see it chime at midday - I still love it!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its tenacity
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a great place to go sailing on the River Tay. You can launch at Broughty Ferry and go to Perth or Norway!

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