:: We Dundee

We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

2791

PEOPLE AND GROWING

I am constantly surprised by the city’s cultural camaraderie. A visitor is as likely to see an impromptu street performance by a Lochee bard from the “schemes” as they are a zydeko gig put on by Perth Road students. Everything is accepted and there is no snobbery, only curiosity!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Anyone lucky enough to see Gardyne's Land before it was turned into a Youth Hostel will know that Dundee was, once upon a time, a very influential city, not only in Scotland but Britain.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city is full of diversity. I was a student there, and there is an ingrained culture and inherent creative spirit of learning which really makes it a place you love.

The DCA is a hub of film and creativity. The local pubs and restaurants build up the atmosphere. The history of comic books and journalism. The old factories and the production of Jute.

It's a city that will stay with you long after you leave.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the cultural diversity of the city, the many different people from so many walks of life, dundee is fast emerging as a place to be whether you are into music, the arts, the outdoors, the city has a plethora of different things to offer everyone

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As an incomer I have discovered so many hidden wonders, from her Industrail Heritage in Jute, Jam and Journalism to the strength and vitality of the women of the city, as Civil Rights and Trade union Leaders as well as religious icons. Dundee's history is a wonderful web of intrigue enriched by her people.
I love that the Universities integrate so well and add to that.
We have much to be proud of! A walk round Balgay Cemetery tells amazing stories.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The creative community in Dundee is 2nd to none and continues to grow!
Coming from Glasgow I love Dundee as it feels more like a big town than a city. The people are extremely friendly and it has some beautiful scenery. Anytime you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the town the countryside is just moments away.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A great place to study and reflect on beautiful Scotland. People are lovely and full of their history too. I back the bid.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> it's alive, diverse, has art, history and Scottish dance theatre!! dont let it loose so much from so little and can be huge!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> great cycle paths means getting around on 2 wheels is easy - cycling alongside the river or across the bridge - fantastic!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Modern architechture mixes with old, a centre of excellence on so many fronts, new shopping facilities, a vibrant nightlife, a varied spread of cultural entertainment-what more could anyone ask for. Already very popular with university students and a safe environment for all.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Broughty Ferry Beach - minutes from the City Centre

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It is a city which feels fresh and vibrant.
Love the quality of the light and the sense of space beside the Tay.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Friendliness, great music scene, lots of creative people

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the fact you have all the amenities of a major city and yet you can drive about without the traffic stress of a big city such as an Edinburgh or a Glasgow. There aren't the same 'wacky races' or gunge ups here !

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> We have everything on our multi culture doorstep, from comics, to culture, cutting edge fashion & technology, great pubs and clubs, Reading Rooms, and the obligatory Jam Jute and Journalism :)

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Wonderful restaurants and great people!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> My wife and I have lived in Dundee since 1968. The transformation of the city since then has been amazing! Dundee has moved on beyond expectation in many areas of its life, including, education, medicine, research, the arts and culture.

<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> The amazing situation by the Tay

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have an amazing memory of my grandparents house, Pitkerro House. It was the most amazing place when I was little. Every corner of the property was like being in wonderland and my grandparents where both amazing fun to be around. I only found out that my Grandad had bought and renovated the property after he passed away, but it amazed me how much love he had for the place and how it always buzzed when the whole family spent time together there. I miss those days.

<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> So much green space

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> That after completing my dance degree in Dundee I have managed to get a full time job with Smallpetitklein Dance Company which is an exciting and dynamic company based in Dundee. Under the artistic direction of Thomas Small the company has a successful international performance company as well as a diverse community strand. Everyday is new and exciting!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The council music and musical theatre provision. Fantastic.

<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> My favourite place is the The West End, a vibrant neighbourhood with small craft shops, local food shops and cafes frequented by students and other residents. There are lovely views down Windsor strret across Magdalene Yard Green to the rail bridge across the Tay.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved back to Dundee 5 years ago after living across the world.

What I love about this city is it's ability to evolve, to change with the times and to reinvent itself.

Above all it's home to me and my family and will always be home no matter where we are in the world

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Spent three years in the city as a student in the 60s and loved it. Now come for cultural events eg at the Dundee rep thatre which we love. Always excited by the changes taking place while preserving some of the old haunts c.f .Hawkhead.
Nostalgia mixed with anticipation would describe my response to Dundee in 2013....well deserves City of Culture 2017. Incidentally 50 years since my graduation in Medicine!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a city of great cultural richness, but the area in which I feel it excels is that of theatre. Both professionally, with the ensemble at Dundee Rep, and in the amateur field, Dundee presents an amazing variety of theatrical performances. Recent amateur productions include "Cats", "The Sound of Music" and "Whistle Down the Wind" with "Miss Saigon School Edition", "Parade" and "Spamalot" still to come this year. Absolutely fabulous darling! l

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Duke's Corner Beer Garden, The Blues Bonanza, The Botanic Gardens, The Continental Market on a summer's day, the cycle route, the City Square, the generousity and enthusiasm of people like Charlie Kean, the DCA, the live music scene, the Rep, the warmth of the people!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It surprised be to learn that the roots of some of the biggest games within the video games industry started in Dundee over two decades ago.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It sits on the banks of a beautiful river. It has an historic ship the discovery that was used to navigate the seas. It will host the V&A museum and has the vibrancy and artistic temperament to make this a world leading area for arts and culture not just for a year, but for a lifetime.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The climbing wall in the church-I think it surprises most of the people coming from continental Europe.
But what I like about Dundee the most is the international environment, especially within the College of Life Sciences. We are a bunch of strangers gathered here from all around the world, and we really stick together, we are a family here, far away from home. I lived in Hungary and France before, but nowhere is as easy to find friends as it is in Dundee.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Every time I visit I'm amazed at the positive changes taking place - especially along the waterfront.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Wonderful and quirky architecture, the Green Circular walking and cycle route and the (normally) drier weather than the West coast are some of my favourite things in the big village of Dundee.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved here for University in the summer, the friendliness of the locals and the incredible architecture has surprised me the most. Dundee boasts the most incredible scenery of any city in the UK.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I grew up in Dundee in the '30's and through the war years. After graduation as an architect, I subsequently moved to Canada where I spent my professional life. In occasional visits back to Dundee I was saddened with the way the city had declined in those early post-war years. However on more recent visits back I have been greatly impressed with the remarkable transformation that has taken place.with such cultural innovations as the new waterfront development starting with acquiring Scott's antarctic ship and it's attached Museum, The Jute Museum and the current Art Gallery Project..

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Both born and bred dundonians, and the people who have chosen to live here all have a great outlook and sense of community spirit which is great to be a part of.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city is an architecture lover's paradise! The past wealth of the city is clear to see in the architectural beauty of so many buildings.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city is very diverse but has so much to offer visitors from great architecture to sporting centres of excellence. There are fantastic places to eat and so much to do from ice-skating, theatres and cinemas. Dundee really is the place for everyone

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have worked in Dundee for the last 17 years and in that time it never ceases to amaze me how much it has really flourished creatively to being the innovative and forward thinking city that it is today.

A great deal of commitment, effort and time has been given by the people and employers within the city to create this vibrancy and it certainly deserves to be credited as a City of Culture.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> McManus galleries offer a wonderful insight into the rich history of the city.

<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> As Tony Blair said "Education, education, education." what a wonderful place to study. Why is the ISIN project not being backed by a city full of engineering and education?

<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> Dundee Science Festival which takes place in November reaches over 14,000 people over a two week period. Events are really diverse ranging from people like Ben Miller talking about his book - 'It's not rocket science' to family fun days and community events. This festival is only three years old and is Scotland's fastest growing science festival. Since its inception three years ago, more than 60 partners now join in annually to put on these amazing events and what is really exciting is that it isn't just scientists. Restaurateurs, hairdressers, museum workers, comedians, teachers, pupils, community leaders - to name a few - all come together to celebrate science, innovation and discovery. In a city like Dundee where science is part of Dundee's heritage and culture, I find this truly exciting.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> No matter where one lives in Dundee, a view of the silvery Tay is very close. The river Tay is like a woman - ever interesting, ever questioning, ever fascinating. To see the seals on the sandbanks, when the tide is low, and to watch the bottle-nose dolphins leap and play, early on a summer's evening is an unforgettable joy.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Such a compact yet diverse city, providing far more for my education than simply getting a degree! The ability to get to know so many students over so many disciplines and meet so many of the local Dundonians over a four year period has been an abiding memory for well over thirty years! An honest,down to earth city with a rich academic and industrial heritage, marvellously blended with it's enchanting outlook over the Tay! Culture without a hint of pretentiousness!!

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