Cultural landscape carries on regardless

Dundee’s cultural renaissance should carry on regardless, the city’s campaigners have said.

A general feeling of upset and disbelief has gripped the city’s cultural and political movers since yesterday’s announcement by the European Commission banning UK entries for the title of European Capital of Culture 2023.

The Dundee 2023 team were due to head to London this weekend in preparation for their pitch to the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on Tuesday.

Gillian Easson, director of Creative Dundee, said: “The European Capital of Culture 2023 year would have given us the chance to bring Europe to the city, with legacy for citizens here well beyond the year itself.

“We, like so many others have been part of the 2023 bid team and will continue to work with partners and citizens to ensure that Dundee is a European city with culture and creativity at its heart.”

Suzanne Scott, aka Whimsical Lush, was the art coordinator for Dundee’s hugely successful Oor Wullie Bucket Trail.

She said: “I was absolutely gutted when I found out the bid won’t go ahead.

“I spent a good couple of hours not believing all that work would go to waste.

“Dundee will of course do what Dundee does best and just carry on with all of the work which has been going into its transformation.”

Businessman Ellis Watson of the bid team insisted the fight for the cultural crown would continue.

He said: “We should still all compete and run the race, even if ultimately no medals are handed out.

“We have a cracking bid and I think the judges will still want to see it.

“Until the fat lady sings, no matter what nationality she is, I still intend to explain how we intend to put on the greatest show on earth.”

Steven Peebles, 26, moved to Dundee in 2010 to study at the art school.

He said: “I decided to stay in the city because of all the work I could see going on in transforming it into a cultural hub.

“Even in the time I have been here, you can see how much things have changed for the better.”

Product design students Lewis Emily, 20, and Kyle Morrison, 19, were shocked to find out the Commission had banned UK cities from entering.

They said from a design perspective it was sad Dundee would not be recognised for its efforts.