We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

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PEOPLE AND GROWING

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I have grown not to be surprised but to relish the amount of creativity this city fosters. From the art school and far beyond. The initiatives, artist run spaces, music, collectives and individual driving forces who make this city their home and make it amazing.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's not just about the Ferry or the west end : even smaller local areas have marvels like Fortes cafe, the Balmore Bar, Jessies kitchen and so many others. Dundee has wonderful architecture all over, not just in the currently affluent areas, and around every corner there are wonderful parks and green spaces. Dundee is beautiful if you look past the billboards and industrial sites....
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee feels like the obvious centre point in Scotland - it's within an easy 90 minutes distance from other wonderful cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow, but in contrast, you can go to the beach, the countryside, up the Glens, into the Highlands and beyond very easily. Sitting in the evenings watching the Silvery Tay with the hills of Fife behind is a view I never take for granted and the sunsets in the winter months are truly spectacular. We are so fortunate to have the quality of life that we have here in Dundee, I've never found the need to leave for very long!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a fabulous city in the most stunning location in Europe. That's no surprise to those of us who have grown up here and still live here.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The outdoor swimming club based at Broughty Ferry Pier "Ye Amphibious Ancients Bathing Association" at 128 years old is, so I believe, the last remaining outdoors swimming club in the country. I love the history , the idea of it still going strong and I wish I was brave enough to join in. One day I will.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is an amazing city, the location is like no other. The fact that you can be in the city centre one minute and 'in the country' the next is unique. The people are warm and friendly and there is a great sense of community wherever you are in the city!
<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> I never been there but I will be.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's industrial history as a centre for textile production is apparent throughout the city. Numerous former jute mills remain standing and while some lay derelict, many have been converted into alternate usages. Of particular note are the Tay Works, built by the Gilroy Brothers c.1850-1865, Camperdown Works in Lochee, which built and owned by Cox Brothers, one of Europe's largest jute manufacturing companies, and begun in 1849, and Upper Dens Mill and Lower Dens Works, built by the Baxter Brothers in the mid 19th century.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Did you know you can buy the world's best sausages at the West End Butchers on Perth Road? They make their own beef, steak and pork - all awesome, but the pork are my favourite! I came to live in Dundee over 19 years ago and love it here. It's a small, friendly city that has it all.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's whaling history and the associated exhibition in the refurbished McManus Gallery
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I think it's great that the sun shines so much in Dundee. Seeing Dundee from across the Tay with the sun shining on it is a wonderful sight. Every time you look you see something different.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The creative resilience of the people. And how much I still like a peh.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> What amazes me about Dundee is the friendliness of Dundonians. Just like Glasgow, is it to do with the industrial history of the city? Very sunny, enjoyed every day here as a student!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's forty years since I left Dundee after graduating. I still hold very dear memories of the Deep Sea fish restaurant on the Perth Road. Fifteen years after leaving, on a visit to relatives, my wife and I went to the Deep Sea. It wasn't open so we joined the queue - and got chattinng to the folks in the queue, several of whom knew relatives of mine. And the, the staff remembered us in the restaurant. My wife, who hails from Surrey, still thinks Dundee is the friendliest palce we're been to.
<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> 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 city was home to Sir D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson in the late 19th/early 20th centuries who was an extraordinary biologist, mathematician and classicist - a true polymath.

The view from the top of The Law is amazing.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the impact artists past and present have had on the city.

Currently Im looking forward to exploring more of Vince Rattray's work, as he is talked about with so much warmth by Dundonians. And I was fascinated to discover Pat Douthwaite's amazing paintings.

She was born in Glasgow but chose Dundee has her home because she liked it so much and took up a permanent residency at The Queens Hotel.
<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> It appears to be a small city. That it is but it is filled with friendly people and has scenic treasures everywhere. Not many cities have the beauty of Dundee, the buzz of the university and kind people on every corner. Definite selling point is the sunset over the Tay; beautiful!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The more than 60 Dundonians who volunteered to go to Spain to fight for democracy and against fascism between 1936 and 1938 in the Spanish Civil War. The inspiring story of both those who volunteered to fight in, and those in Dundee who helped support the victims of, a conflict in a country of which they knew little, but whose outcome they felt to be crucial to their own lives. 17 Dundonians never returned by lie in Spanish soil. Mary Brooksbank imortalised then in her poem 'Graves in Spain'.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The ability to visit Broughty Ferry and do the 'Ferry 15', 15 pubs in the space of a 700 by 350 yard area.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> One of Dundee's hidden attractions is Balgay Park. The park itself is lovely with beautiful walks through the trees an stunning views. There is also a Plant Trail walk up Balgay Hill leading to Mills Observatory which holds entertaining Planetarium shows and has several interesting objects related to space.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has always been a fantastic location. Within no time you are either at the sea or in the hills. The law, parks and museums are great places to visit and with the waterfront development well under way Dundee will be a great city of culture.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Friendly people, diversity and surrounding beauty.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I am three and I love visiting the libraries for storytimes and crafts. I also love spending time at the museum and Camperdown Park. which has fun play areas.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'm most supprised by the amount of hidden gems, which many people simply do not know about, from the buildings/architecture, if you spend some time looking up! to the attractions and then on to the diversity of the open spaces and mixture on the doorstep. How many other cities can boast a beach, sea front and river bank, a volcano, universities and vibrant cultural quarters, not to mention quality attractions.
<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> Frida Kahlo visited the Tay Bridge Bar (acc M Marra)... AND EVERYONE IS FRIENDLY!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I LOVE DUNDEE !!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The warmth and friendliness of the Dundonians always makes me smile. I love the sense of history, the hidden gems, the cafe culture and the great selection of shops. Everyone you meet has a tale to tell, or a joke to share. I love walking down the Perth Road either past the university into the bustle of the town or out towards the Botanical Gardens, a special place of peace and tranquillity. I love to walk in Dudhope Park, especially when the leaves are changing in the Autumn or sit looking out over the Tay in the evening when the light is changing. There is hope and potential in it's people and it's places.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A 'hidden secret'' is the medicak history museum at Ninewells.
<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> Planning student at the University of Dundee. The city has changed so much in the space of less than a century from industrial to culturally-orientation. V&amp;A, DCA, The Waterfront, Discovery, McManus are only tips of a very large iceberg.
<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> Brought Ferry on a summers day is my favourite place in Europe. Lively bars and cafés, a beautiful beach and great views. Culture is something that attracts people. Seeing the ferry in summer certainly does that.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has lovely country parks, camperdown has it's own zoo, a golf course and having a stroll through the park in Autumn is not to be missed. We also have Baxter Park and Lochee Park both have a variety of activites throughout the year. Walking from bridge to bridge along the embankment is a joy.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Each time I come back to Dundee I love to walk down by the river near Broughty Castle. It always brings back great memories of the harbour swim training and the cross-Tay swims that I participated in many years ago and that still continue today. :)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I returned to Dundee in 2000 after many years abroad.
What a fantastic city to live in and to start a business.
Great support, super business colleagues, friends and clients.
Looking forward to the fantastic city developments in the next 13 years!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its friendly people always eager to help and lend a helping hand in times of need - in fact I never felt away from home. Further the city has a fair share of foreign students throughout the year which makes it a good platform for exchange of foreign cultures and heritage.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundonians are very welcoming and friendly people, Also the history of Dundee is very interesting.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The universities and museums! Two universities mean that there are fantastic opportunities to acquire knowledge, both formally and informally (through diversity and cultural enrichment) and the newly refurbished McManus galleries offer an insight on all aspects of life in Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city has undergone so many changes over the years and is now finally heading in the right direction,the people are very proud of they,re city,and rightly so,
Dundee has many firsts,the first radio broadcast,the first place in the world to abolish slavery 55 years before any other city or town,many firsts in medicine,i could go on,take a bow Dundee
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> So many unique features, but can't fail to be impressed by the view approaching the city over the river. Especially at night.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has such an interesting history but it also has a very interesting future! I've lived here all my life and don't think I've ever been happier in Dundee than I am right now. Dundee has recently been recognised as a new Destination in the world of Jewellery. everyone knows of the three J's, maybe it's time to add a fourth?
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its contribution to the world at large.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Best thing about Dundee is the people. It's diverse, constantly changing and welcoming population are what made me want to move to Dundee and why it still feels like home every time I make a trip back
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people are so friendly. I get lots of foreign visitors at work and they all say this.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I am always surprised by how beautiful and vibrant this city is and i have lived here all my life so far. I also studied in Duncan of Jordanstone a really breeding ground for creative thinking. I now teach in a local High school, and have observed over the last few years how the pupils attitudes to their city have changed for the better. The whole atmosphere is becoming more confident and ambitious and hopefully greater things are still to come! Go Dundee!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a lovely wee city and an obvious choice for the UK City of Culture 2017! The view of the bridges driving along Riverside Drive are breathtaking. There are lots of lovely independant wee cafes and shops making it unique and there is so many exciting new developments taking place it really is the place to be!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has so much to offer. I love the Agacan on the Perth Road. Simple, uncomplicated Turkish food with the bonus of massive portions. It's like a little section of Turkey tucked away on the bohemian Perth Road.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Student life - having spent 4 years there is a culture seldom seen at larger universities where all of the students socialise together regardless of course or faculty and this also transfers into fitting into the City. There is a pride in alumni that I have never seen from other university graduates.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The beautiful Magdalen Green as it pans down on to the banks of the River Tay. A very special place to me as I have had many romantic walks here, a summer BBQ proposal and then my wedding photos in the bandstand. What a peaceful and inspiring space and view!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The beautiful people, the attitude &amp; way of life.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The beautiful view of Dundee from the Law Hill is one of my favourite places. I love living in the peaceful and pretty City Quay. The sunsets over the Tay are stunning. A small city, with a friendly atmosphere! I love living in Dundee :-)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There's something very human about Dundee. A grey mass of stone and concrete which is filled with people going about their lives. It's the minimum viable city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Duncan of Jordanston College of Art and Design is always a fantastic exhibition. I have to go at least 3 times each year because I dont want to miss anything!
<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> I'm delighted that the University has introduced and encourages lots of different ethnic groups to come and live in the city. It opens up lots of different opportunities for the natives of Dundee, some of whom have never travelled outwith the city or abroad.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> DCA Cinema has one of the richest programmes, you could imagine. From international to documentary, it's all good.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is full of wonderful musicians, people and their own humour. The redevelopment that is going on is so overdue and when finished will place Dundee well and truly on the map of culture where it so rightly belongs.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As a pupil who is and has been part of many Dundee Schools activities, such as Dundee Schools' Music Theatre, the Youth Music Initiative and Dundee Schools Orchestras, I have been able to perform on stage at the Caird Hall and the Whitehall Theatre, I have made many new friends and I have learned many different skills.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a city that struggles. Yet the people of this quietly great city have such heart. They always find a way.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The views from so many angles are amazing. Both looking in and looking outwards. The struggles too, of many people such as my Granny who worked in the Jute Mills and the struggles too, of many today who can't find work, but keep striving despite the setbacks. It's not just the views, but the people. Their determinism to help others, even when they have so little, brings out the best. I've seen it often in the most surprising places.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amazing local businesses tucked away in Exchange Street are becoming less of a secret by the day. Five minutes from the High Street and you'll find the best food in town at T Ann Cake and The Cheesery.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> One of the best places to go and have your lunch in the city centre in summer time is actually... cemetery. Howff Burial Ground. It's just across the street from the post office on Meadowside. It's surprisingly quiet and calm. You got to try it.
<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> Artist Matt Stoke's award-winning film 'Long After Tonight' was part of DCA's Our Surroundings exhibition (2005). Matt filmed Northen Soul dancers from across the UK in St Salvadors chuch over two evenings. The result was breathtaking. It brings tears to my eyes everytime I watch it.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> My memories of Dundee include a vibrant music scene with folksinging, pop, etc.. In addition the stage scene with theatre and variety shows giving an eclectic choice of venues. A compact town centre gives a village feeling to the town which enhances a feeling of togetherness.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Sightseeing from upstairs on the number 73 bus. It runs from Ninewells through Dundee and Broughty Ferry to Arbroath. Amazing views, free wifi and good banter!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The talent and prowess the city has in the technology and digital media sectors never fails to blow me away.
<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> The Miley Nature Reserve runs between Lawside and Lochee on the former site of north Scotland's first railway line, the Dundee and Newtyle railway. It is a secret sanctuary, hidden away amid the bustle of the city. It gives a new lease of life to the disused railway line, providing a new home for trees and songbirds.
<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> Local bands make the city what it is. Energy, Excitement and Dedication. What more can you give?
<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> The rich amount of history. Walk off any Main Street and find something. Eg. Cemetery in centre of town, law hill, verdant works, unicorn, Tay bridge. Wherever you go there is history shaping the city,
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The best thing about Dundee that you will never find anywhere else in Europe is our football, the closest grounds in Europe and win, lose or draw, there will always be friendly rivalry (or banter) yes we will wind each other up, but fans can still drink in the same pubs before and after the match, our fans are disciplined, #fact - welcome to Dundee where equality is happy!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> For me it has everything I'd want in a city, good nightlife, restaurants, culture and shopping. It is also centrally positioned to the big two (Edinburgh and Glasgow) as well as ideally situated for my daily commute to Aberdeen for work. If the estuary could be dredged/lowered to allow easier (non-tidal) access for more offshore vessels and possibly build an offshore business hub on the harbour for oil and gas jobs it would indeed be perfect
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Fantastic place to be right now. Great Art, Great Music, Great Design and Great Talent everywhere you look. Something for everyone here and much more. Happy vibes indeed. A warm welcome awaits all.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Living in dundee offers more than just a great location to live by the river and the countryside is only 15 mins from city centre.

There are lots of gems to visit in dundee whether its cultural/educational, shopping or eating out.

Seek and ye shall find!

There is lots to see and do!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Moving from Edinburgh to Dundee 3 years ago I didn't know what to expect but was pleasantly surprised by all the wonderful things on offer, I am now proud to call it my home.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The number of amazing shops, cafes and attractions.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Botanic Garden, an underused hidden gem.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> McManus Museum... Beautiful and mystery... A taxi driver told me, that below the McManus museum is a water... he is one of the city council worker before he retired. I like Dundee very much... a nice place to study.. to live.. a good environment.. nice people..
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> 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> Excellent shopping centres
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Magdalen Green on a summer Sunday, with a band playing in the band stand and a picnic with the family
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee had a reputation as being hard and unfriendly when i first came to the city in 1984 to study. I soon discovered that the City of Discovery is a safe and pleasant place to come. It has all the facilities of a big city but you don't have to travel too far to get to things. Not too big, not too small, just about right.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The community spirit of Dundee echoes all over the city as friendly and familiar faces are met frequently in unexpected ways, supporting the locals' idea that "Dundee is a small world". The feeling that the people all have the same ties to each other and the place itself gives a unique character to the city. Even people who have not lived in Dundee for a particularly long time find deep attachments to the city and its people, proving that Dundee is more than a hometown - it's a home.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The friendliness of the locals has got to be listed as one of Dundee's best assets. Anytime I come home from Australia the welcome mat is rolled out. Good luck with your bid!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Great theatre &amp; love McManus Galleries. Looking forward to continuing waterfront development - city is improving!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> when ever i am away driving on the west coast i always look forward to coming back and i can guarantee that when i am coming along the perth dual carriage way i am always on the look out for the top of ninewells hospital then i know i am home,,,its a great site to see......
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> a mélange of cultures, young students from all over the world who feel comfortable and welcome in this city. Dundee has a strong history, and you'll find the roots in every little corner of the town.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'm always surprised by the fantastic range of shops and galleries in the west end/perth road area selling local handcrafted items, many of which have been made or designed by current and former duncan of jordanstone students. Many of these places are very unassuming, however have been there for years- proving how much the local residents value the creations on sale. The lindeen gallery in particular is a highlight.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> 2017 will be the centenary of D'Arcy Thompson's amazing book On Growth and Form, "the greatest work of prose in 20th century science". Written in Dundee using the specimens in D'Arcy's museum, it has literally changed the world, influencing not just biologists and mathematicians but artists, architects, philosophers, geographers, engineers, cyberneticists, computer scientists, anthropologists and umpteen others! Today the D'Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum is one of the city's hidden gems, its amazing collections brought to life through a diverse programme of events and exhibitions.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It is evolving! An exciting place to live right now!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There are always new people to meet and connect with, there seems to be a continual flow of people coming into Dundee, some stay a month, a year or maybe 4 or more, and the city takes them all in.

Though not born and bred in Dundee, I have done a lot of growing here; I moved to Dundee at 18, and 8 years later I am still exploring and discovering new streets, communities and people. As a student and then lecturer, most of my time has been centered at DJCAD, University of Dundee. The university often provides a reason for people to come to Dundee but the communities pre-existing (and yet to form) are the reason people care, contribute and continue talking about Dundee.

For me, Dundee's hidden secret is its adaptability in itself and the people it hosts. It is not a perfect city, nor does it pretend to be, therefor people take on the challenge of shaping it, in turn shaping themselves. In this continual movement Dundee has witnessed many a success, and failure, but it (and the people it hosts) keeps on trying because that is the nature of the space and place it inhabits.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The humour and resilience of the people from Dundee. A sometimes self-depreciating fondness and pride of where we are from, despite the fact it has gone through some hard times Coming into Dundee from Fife, the city has a presence about it. Left 10 years ago, and would move back tomorrow if I could. And Goodfellows chocolate violets are my favourite thing in the world!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Im Proud Dundonian. I Love how GTA was created in Dundee! and look out for the next top selling title to come from our city :)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The girls football leagues &amp; teams of all ages which play in Dundee and play team from the surrounding areas is a great opportunity for girls of all ages to improve and test their skills.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The longest seaplane flight took off from Dundee in 1938 and flew non stop to South Africa. The river has been the vehicle of discovery not just out to sea but into the air as well. There is such a rich history in Dundee just waiting to be soaked up.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee University Student Union (DUSA) is incredible. A lot of events through out the year both at the Universities and the city centre (ie. the Christmas tree lighting).
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> What has surprised me recently about Dundee and makes me proud to be a Dundee boy, is our ability to realize and act upon our ever growing potential as one of Britain's main culture hub's.

With things like the West Fest charitable community culture festival that kicks off on the 18th of May aboard HM Frigate Unicorn. The festival harnesses and celebrates our many unique talents and attributes as a tight nit society!

It is things like this that makes me and many others love my home city!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has always been an outward looking city. We care about people and welcome everyone with open arms. My uncle fought in the Spanish civil war for people he had never met because, like many Dundee men, he felt he had to make a stand against evil.

I work all over the world. Everywhere I have ever been, the Scots are respected for their openness and friendliness, and I believe that Dundee personifies these virtues.

I am proud of my city and its culture. But I'm most proud to be one of its citizens.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's amazing how much the city is developing, The new waterfront with the V&amp;A will be another outstanding addition to a fabulous city
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has a fabulous and unique history! Shipbuilding, whaling, the mills, the print works, the. Soft fruit and jams! But those days are gone! What isn't gone is the fighting spirit and the desire to make Dundee great again and that's something we need to embrace and support!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The wealth and diversity of creative individuals all in such a close and accessible proximity

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