2023: Hard work begins now as Dundee submits Capital of Culture bid.

DunDee 2023: Team must convince judges that city deserves Euro title

Dundee’s bid to become European Capital of Culture 2023 was officially submitted yesterday, but the bid team warned the hard work has just begun.

Members of the bid team now have to convince a panel of judges the city is worth a place on their shortlist, which will be announced on St Andrew’s Day.

Dundee is competing against a number of other British cities, including Leeds, Milton Keynes and Nottingham.

Stewart Murdoch, director of Leisure and Culture Dundee, said: “It is not just about Dundee, it’s about our links with Europe.

“Our contacts through the Unesco City of Design and our twin cities have helped, as have organisations like NCR and Michelin and their own European network.”

Members of the bid team will travel to London next month to make a presentation on behalf of the city before judges announce their final shortlist.

They will then visit the city before announcing which bidder will be granted the coveted title of European Capital of Culture 2023.

Ms Day said: “The presentation is as important as the bid document itself.

“It is a two-hour presentation and the team has to know the bid document inside out.”

SNP administration leader John Alexander said the bid was one all of Dundee can get behind.

He said: “The bid has been informed by the people of the city.

“People have sent in their ideas – it’s not just about those who are involved on the bid team.”

City development convener Councillor Lynne Short and Juraj Ciernik from the Dundee 2023 team drove the bid document from the City Square in an electric car.

Bid leader Bryan Beattie said details of the document are being kept under wraps so as not to give Dundee’s competitors any unnecessary advantage.

However, it is understood to contain proposals for more than 100 projects or events.

He said: “It’s a competition that is worth so much to the city in terms of jobs.”

Mr Beattie said he was delighted at the turnout yesterday.

He said: “It shows the city wants this and we believe the city can deliver it – and deliver it really well.”

Pictures: Mhairi Edwards. A crowd gathered in City Square to show their support for the city’s bid for the 2023 City of Culture title.

Grayzyna Branicka, 15, and Paige Barclay, 18, getting behind the bid.