We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

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PEOPLE AND GROWING

Support Dundee

There are many ‘secret’ ballrooms in houses in the city with sprung floors.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has often been classed as a subculture. I feel that it is a dynamic city which is thriving and growing. This is evidenced in the city centre where empty shops are at a minority and in out of town shopping centres which are fully populated. Dundee is fast becoming an important centre for science and the arts with the v&amp; a coming to Dundee. I love Dundee and am proud to be a citizen.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is my hometown and has always been a friendly city. It has hugely improved since the 60s. Its great attractions with the two ships , The Discovery and The Frigate Unicorn. The music festvals and our well known Ninewells hospital.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Great city filled with lots of wonderful things to do.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I attended the College of Art in the 70's and afterwards worked for the City Council for a short while. I was always impressed by the friendliness of the people and the richness of all art forms. After some time I revisited the city lsst year and the growth in arts venues and performance was fantastic. Dundee has worked hard over the last 30 years and deserves recognition for it.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Although it is smaller than Glasgow or Manchester, Dundee's thriving musical community is one of the best in the UK. The sheer quality of music that is being churned out and played in many of the live music venues is often under appreciated. It should be recognised and celebrated throughout the world!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I often walk through Balgay Cemetery and am amazed at how alive it is. It is so full of flowers and so frequently visited that for me it is a place of love and community. It is indicative of a city that is full of people who care about it and about those who live and die here.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Came to Dundee as a student from Edinburgh. The place will ever have a place in my heart, and I will be sad when I leave. Sunniest city in Scotland!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Verdant Works is a hidden gem. The volunteers are fantastic and have a welath of knowledge.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Changing for the Future, Bonnie Dundee is amazing with its Cultural quarter, wonderful Universities, Airport, bridges and lots lots more.
<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 &amp; Senior level,the Science Centre, Art at McManus &amp; 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 &amp; Custom House
<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> 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> When I worked in a city centre office in the shadows of the McManus, a highlight was my lunchtime walk up the Law - my Nearest Faraway Place. After walking straight up the "Conshie", past the university and the old DRI building, pausing briefly at the top of the Law to admire the spectacular panorama, it was back down past tranquil allotments, down Inverlaw Place and through Dudhope Park, complete with castle, back refreshed for the afternoon work ahead. Quality time!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The diversity of people you meet in one day is both astounding and inspiring. Never have I been to a city where you recognize that, probably due to the intimacy of the place (considering it's a city!). I have vowed to return here to live and work in the future, as some who is not from Dundee that is quite a thing! After three years here I have witnessed first-hand the rapidly developing design and craft community, and how it is far outgrowing its Scottish competitors.

The natural surpise; feeling like you can see the Tay everywhere you go.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Having never stepped foot in the city until my first day at University I had no idea what to expect, but the friendliness and welcoming attitude got me straight away, 11 years later I feel like Dundee is home, and I am very excited about what my future holds living in this ever developing city. The open spaces in Dundee are great, you never feel enclosed. With such easy access to beautiful countryside, beaches, hills and forests, why would you need to live anywhere else?
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The imagination and determination of our young people. Take the recent "Dundee Roundhouse" initiative, where a group of young people have transformed a derelict factory site into a hidden organic garden.
<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&amp;A
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amount of diversity and talent within Dundee's creative industries never ceases to amaze.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> We moved here 18 months ago and it already feels like "home". I love the mix of the old and new, the ups and downs.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The friendlinesss of the people, the wonderful location and the amount of green areas.
<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> The city oozes with history and many stories of discovery and determination
<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> Best loved city sculptures ever: the huge bronze dragon on the High Street is straight out of Narnia and never without a gaggle of toddlers all over it; and the row of penguins outside the Nethergate are adorable.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> moved to Dundee 2 years ago and love the difference here compared to other cities. Within a 5-10 minute drive you can be shopping in the centre or walking on the beach or one of the many beautiful greenspaces around the city. Camperdown Park and Clatto Reservoir are especially beautiful locations.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's beauty is outstanding. The city's position on the Tay estuary is undoubtedly one of its most unique features, coupled with its diverse history. It truly is the city of discovery, not only due to Scott of the Antarctic, but also academically and culturally, always seeking new innovations. Dundee is a city with the motivation to rejuvenate and reinvent itself within the current and ever changing globalising world we now live in. Dundee has the other unique feature of friendliness in abundance, you will never feel a stranger in this city. But to appreciate Dundee fully, you have first to experience it.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> What surprises me about the city is the wealth of local talent it houses. There are so many disciplines represented here from skateboarders to singers to artists to bakers and the humble Dundonian seems to want to out their talent in some way. Afraid perhaps to admit it's a damn fine city with great things to offer - they offer their expressive selves. Proud to be Dundonian!!!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I often think about Dundee &amp; growing up there. We love to go back every couple of years, visit friends who as Dundonians are always very good to us. We are Canadians who love Scotland &amp; the people
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is transforming itself in to a modern bright city for future generations to enjoy.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> We've got two Universities, two football teams, two bridges and a professional ice hockey team a plethora of theatres and a number of fine museums. The people are proud, but not pushy. The city has one of the finest settings in the world and despite many of the mistakes of the sixties almost every other city made it is now going places and has a tremendous sense of optimism. Becoming City of Culture would be the icing on the cake of the cities rebirth.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a mass of hidden creative talent that is slowly coming to the fore. The imminent V&amp;A building is helping build a massive buzz in Dundee. Inspiring all of those talented people to come out and do their own thing, or join up with others to form collectives, enhancing Dundee even further.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I am surprised by the energy which is currently going into the transformation of Dundee's waterfront
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a very friendly and happy city with many multi-cultural aspects and people. From shopping to food you can normally find what you want somewhere close.

We love to look back at our history but also keep an eye on the future with new technologies.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved to Dundee from Nairobi via China and Laos, 5 and a bit years ago. What surprised me about Dundee was how it manages to be a big city with numerous hidden surprises and at the same time a small city with a real sense of community and pride. My favorite surprise in Dundee was when I stumbled across a pop up gallery called the guerrilla gallery at the back of the recycling center. This gave me a glimpse into the world of Artists in Dundee and I was amazed!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Braithwaites coffee shop. It's like stepping back in time!
<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> Its a great location. Its not a hidden secret. The River Tay is a most beautiful waterfront to cycle along. I came to work in Dundee 30+ years ago as NHS Tayside was providing innovative Clinical Psychology services. Dundee continues to develop better ways to reduce the impact of historical poverty. I have enjoyed living and working amongst friendly people who know their history is often a mix of wealth and hardship but are keen live in a thriving place and make this better for all. Concerts, theatre, parks and nightlife all contribute to this. Braithwaites tea &amp; coffee shop is just one small corner of this.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The miniature bandstand on the Perth Road
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How great the view is from the top of the Law
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has such a fantastic variety of amateur arts groups - for children and adults - which produce excellent shows to suit all tastes.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> All my stuff is here.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The light. This city is full of greenspace and trees resulting in an amazing light and freshness. I moved here in 2001 and do not see myself living anywhere else as everything is available on our doorstep. You have open spaces, shops, entertainment and above all the people, they are friendly and funny, all with stories of the rich history of the city. Our allotment is an environment in where we feel a real connection with where we are in location and in our lives.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Going from strength to strenght reinventing itself. Full of hidden gems allready and only increasing.

Dundee is truly a city of many discoveries!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A small city with a big image: Universities, hospitals, museums, music, films, sport, hotels, restaurants, shopping, transport, bingo, discos, nightclubs, theatres, workshops, Dundee holds its own with other cities. But there are also beautiful flowerbeds and gardens, beaches and castles. Dolphins and seals swim before us and the Aurora Borealis lights the skies. Dundee has produced too many famous people to list here. Visitors are always surprised at the diversity of culture in this warm-hearted and generous city. I love it.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'm here today because of the wonderful work being done in the Scottish Bowel Screening Unit which is here in Dundee. Screening was piloted here and is now saving lives of Scots all over the country. The work on cancer research done here in Dundee is exceptional and the skill of our medical staff at Ninewells hospital is second to none.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love Dundonian dialect :) Sometimes difficult to understand, but really intriguing and beautiful!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Stores, cafes close too early. Later closings would encourage tourists to come and spend time more time in the city. As well after shows/concerts/theatre people would like a place to have coffee and/or light snacks.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> All the advantages of a city, all the cosiness of a town.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I support popular culture in the form of William McGonagall.

How can he be the world's worst poet when his writing is still printed and repeated a century and a half after he wrote it?

I keep finding nineteenth century 'poetry' that does not appear to scan so it is not the overwhelming criticism that is widely made by those who patronize him.

His poetry should be celebrated without embarrassment.

McGonagall, Beano and Dandy would make a good counterweight to more highbrow contributions.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is the best city in Britain for seeing red squirrels.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There is so much goodwill amongst the people of Dundee. One example of this was when my sister had an accident recently in Dundee city centre; within seconds of this happening there were at least three people all willing to help and assist.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Camperdown park is a great area for the kids and for a lovely walk just as a couple. my favourite place to walk in dundee is right along riverside drive and along to city quay it is a beautiful walk seeing both the tay road bridge and the tay rail bridge in the evening all lit up. the caird hall is fantastic the square outside is a lovely setting for a cuppy at the cafe and just to relax in the square.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The diversity of cultures and people in the city. For a small city there are lots of different peoples here. This is reflected in the shops and the langauges you hear on the street, shows that Dundee people embrace equality and diversity
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love Dundee's long history of pioneering whole industries. Today many people think of DC Thomson as an institution of the city, but they almost single-handedly invented the global comics industry as we know it. Dundee's full of these sorts of inspiring stories, and that's why I'm backing the bid.
<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> The museums and galleries, the cafés and bars as well as the talented artists, musicians and wonderful community spirit. When the sun shines the buzz in the air is fantastic.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is the absolutely perfect place to see the whole of Scotland - we have the rivers, the sea, the hills, the glens, the cities and the countryside all within a stone's throw! And that's not to mention everything Dundee has all by itself culture, history, scenery, shopping, sport ... need I go on??
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Being among the first to see amazing new children's films at Discovery Film Festival, eating fudge donuts from Fisher &amp; Donaldson and meeting so many welcoming, funny, inspiring people. Every time I get a funny look from someone outside of the city when I tell them I live in Dundee it makes me proud to say it's a truly great place to be.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a great place to live, it has some lovely places to visit, like Law Hill (great views of city &amp; over to Fife), Riverside is nice to walk along. Great parks like Baxters &amp; Camperdown. Shops are not bad either :)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'm a Dundonian who has been living away for the past 10 years. Next year I am coming home and I couldn't be more excited! During my recent visits I have seen remarkable improvements in Dundee but know this is only the start! Dundonians are the warmest people I have come across, this together with the impressive developments in the City makes Dundee the place to be!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people are its best asset - witty, genuine and friendly.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Scotland's first woman plumber: Maggie Ellis.

The best pies and bridies.

The friendliest folk.

The best Scottish university.
<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> Dundee has a wonderful sense of community , people are proud of their city and show this by pulling together to influence change and improvements in their local areas.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The changes in the last 15 years... The skate factory becoming DCA, Generatorprojects from its inception to its Mid Wynd gallery, WASPS studios, McManus... The change from scary Perth Rd pubs like the Royal Piper and the Global Beer Company (under the Angus Hotel) to pleasant bars and cafes like the Parlour and the Art Bar.
<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> Just love my home town. No matter where I go, it doesn't live up to Dundee!!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's music scene is different! I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's a lot of diverse musical activity in Dundee relative to its population size. For anyone interested in music and people, it elevates Dundee beyond its fabulous natural location. Maybe it's the geographical setting that inspires people so much. The air here is also good!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Dundee Flower and Food Festival is a huge, fun event, attracting thousands of people to the Camperdown Country Park every September. New visitors and exhibitors are always amazed at the scale of what we do!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I am Dundee born and bred. The best thing about Dundee is its people - they are so friendly. Where else would most people say hello as you walked or cycled passed them?
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city is beautiful with a rich history. Amongst the lovely sights to see are the ship "Discovery" and the Jute museum. The River Tay is a beautiful sight to see from the Tay bridge especially at night. The people are warm and always offer you the nice scottish hospitality and you often get to see many of the men in traditional Scottish kilt. The University Of Dundee offers a diverse mix of cultures from across the globe which blend with the eclectic mix of the old and the new that is The City Of Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's that Dundee isn't better known for the wonderful place that it is. Outsiders dwell on the negatives about the city but the reality is that that we are a small city with a thriving creative and artistic scene coupled with a surprising smattering of the high tech. And I love that our most famous statues are of cartoon characters!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee FC and Dundee United FC. Two senior football clubs situated only a couple of hundred yards apart. A rare football derby where supporters of both football clubs can meet in the pub both before and after the match without any trouble.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is one of the sunniest cities in the UK and has a rich history and culture kept alive daily by the humble Dundonian. Lying on the North shores of the Firth of Tay with two leading Universities, a teaching hospital and home to large businesses like Alliance Trust, Michelin and NCR as well as a host of other multinational and local businesses Dundee is a great place to live. The cultural quarter with museums, theatres and restaurants and the upcoming V&amp;A at Dundee make Dundee a worthy contender for City of Culture 2017.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The warmth of the people, it's such a friendly place.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city is ready for change - despite the economic issues it faces, despite the impact of a difficult history and despite the outdated perception of some people outside the City. It is in the process of positive change and achieving UK City of Culture status would accelerate that process.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Spex pistols.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the view you get when travelling over the Tay Road Bridge towards Dundee at night and seeing the lights and the warm feeling of nearly being home. This City just keeps getting better!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> 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> Just down off the road bridge to the east, right on the front, theres a little spiral-staircased platform on which one can spend any amount of time in tranquility and contemplation looking off into the river or back into Dundee's heart. Beautiful place, have been atop it many times with many people. I guess its somewhere to catch a breath amidst the wild and constant cultural offerings of the city!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The most sunny city in Scotland has a lot to offer. Great walks, great pubs and a small enough city to walk from one end to the other and at least seeing one person to wave at.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Something for all age groups of interest to me opera live from the MET at DCA plus ballet etc. I drive in from North Angus. Dundee is a cosmopolitan centre which is not fully recognised.
It is a city of history and culture, find out more.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The heritage assets that the City has are enviable.Not just the decor of the traditional but magnificent museum but the historic cultural assets of the Verdant works and the football teams which capture the city's own history of immigrant Irish labour in Victorian times.
Dundee's cultural history mirrors much of Scotland's but its "discovery" reveals its own unique ingredients.
<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> magdalene yard road gardens, on a sunny day, with friends, bubbles and laughter x
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The dragon, Minnie the Minx and Desperate Dan sculptures. My children love climbing all over them and running away from the dragon. The sculptures are accessible, contemporary and have relevance for every age group.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's actually not bad. No, really it's great. I've been here for 8 years and think it's an incredibly vibrant wee place.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Tin Roof studios and others like it are a little known asset to the city. It is an example of one of the many collectives to be found in Dundee which exist because like-minded people want to get together and share their interests.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has a vibrant music culture, there is a lot of support for local bands that play regularly around the city at various venues. I like the fact that you can go to different bars and coffee shops and there will be open mic nights on where you can sit and listen, get up and play or ask for requests. The jazz and blues festival is a great asset to the city. In addition the botanical gardens is beautiful, I like to go have a coffee and wander through the gardens.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I grew up in Edinburgh, went to uni in Stirling and worked in other Scottish cities before coming to Dundee in 1989. What has kept me here is how real Dundee is ( oh and my husband whom i met in 1990!) I love the size of the city and the critical energy that seems to gather to support good things like the DCA and the enthusiasm to support campaigns like this. I work in Dundee and every day i drive in from Broughty Ferry i feel so excited to see the city taking shape day by day! Dundee has a uniqueness and a confidence that will continue to grow, it feels like the essence if Scotland because its comfortable in its own skin ( as well as the one that's being created !!!)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Howff surprised me.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Walking down from Tin Roof, Generator, and the art school to have a pint and lively discussion at the Art Bar... perhaps stopping by DCA or the Rep later. Most of the cultural spots in Dundee are within easy walking distance of each other, creating a fantastic friendly atmosphere where you will probably bump into someone you know along the way.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee decided a long time ago that it was not going to be talked down to and look where it is going. it is ever changing, looking to the future with V&amp;A Dundee on its way, which will be housed within a stunning purpose built delight. But don't forget about the past look around and you can see what Dundee was with many beautiful buildings of years gone by.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The quality of the exhibitions Dundee attracts to the recently refurbished McManus Galleries, such as the opportunity to view Titian's 'Diana and Actaeon' at close quarters in a quality space. Just breathtaking!
<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 Fireworks night fireworks! An amazing display and a great place for people to come together. They always mark the start of a special time in the year and I look forward to seeing them again this year.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Friendliness and work by the council on encouraging events and businesses to the city (I organise an event in the city, annually, and am struck by the support for it by the council and staff.)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Many things to see and do in Dundee but for me nothing beats a Sunday afternoon stroll in Camperdown park with my family and the dog.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I am constantly surprised by the changes within the city. It continues to grow and diversify in this current climate of recession.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Discovery Film Festival at the DCA. Excellent international and foreign language films at one of the best venues in Scotland.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'm constantly surprised by the way people in the city have - and respond positively to - good ideas. You would expect this to happen everywhere, but it's not always the way. People here get that it's good to do creative things together.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The millions of things you don't expect from Dundee - from dirt cheap language courses by BERA to adult gymnastics classes at the new Dick McTaggart Gymnastics Centre and belly dancing courses at the ISE. Basically all the things you get in a big city without losing the friendly attitude you get in wee cities like Dundee!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I loved the atmosphere in the new Caird square on a cold crisp winter evening after listening to the Dundee Symphony Orchesta in the Caird hall, coming down the steps and looking at the Christmas lights and the tree and the people in Henry's coffee house enjoying the view. I love Braithwaite's coffee shop and the Cheesery on Exchange street. Drouthy's and the jute cafe and Dukes corner, the art bar. The macmanus Gallery
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The history behind Dundee is what surprised me most for example during the industrial revolution, the jute, the jam, and the printing industries. It has surprised me as to how much it has shaped the city to this day.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As a Dundonian I'm not surprised, just proud, of what Dundee has to offer in terms of culture in the broadest sense. A prime example was the late lamented Michael Marra, whose genius lay in delivering the people's culture with dry Dundonian humour (listen to If Dundee Was Africa, Muggie Shaw, Hamish) as well as universal observations (try Happed In Mist, Hermless). See also how he inspired other local artists such as Vincent Rattray and the many groups he collaborated with at Dundee Rep.
<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> Dundee has gone through an incredible creative regeneration. With the imminent arrival of V&amp;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> The creative community here in Dundee is amazing. I have witnessed many collaborative projects that have succeeded due to the positive attitudes and creative abilities.

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