Dundee’s campaign to become the European Capital of Culture has received a big boost after Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon gave it her backing.
The official bid will be submitted on October 27, with the winner expected to reap rewards including boosts to tourism, culture and regeneration.
The winning city will be announced in 2019, giving the area the chance to plan for a busy year of cultural events in 2023.
Speaking in Dundee at the announcement of the creation of the Scottish Government’s Scottish Social Security HQ, Ms Sturgeon pledged her support for the Dundee 2023 bid.
Dundee City Council leader John Alexander met the First Minister to discuss the bid as well as the social security plans.
He said: “It’s great that the First Minister illustrated both the Scottish Government’s and her own personal support for the campaign to make Dundee European Capital of Culture in 2023.
“Our bid showcases the very best of Dundee and the tapestry of culture that exists.
“It’s not just art and design that will be showcased but our creative industries, gaming, music and even sport.
“The meeting was an extremely positive one, in which our objectives were set out and the First Minister praised our work thus far.
“We’ve got much to be proud of but we know there is much more to do.”
The bid has been gaining momentum since it was announced earlier this year with an official soundtrack released by some of Dundee’s best-known musicians.
Over Bridges was produced by city musician and composer Gary Clark, who was the frontman of pop band Danny Wilson, with Kyle Falconer, lead singer of The View, also singing on the track.
Four other British cities will submit bids for the title – Leeds, Belfast-Derry-Strabane, Nottingham and Milton Keynes. Two European cities will then be granted the award, with one in the UK despite the Brexit vote and another in Hungary.
The 2017 European Capitals of Culture are Aarhus, in Denmark and Pafos, in Cyprus, with a number of countries already granted the title up to 2021.
In July The Courier ran a special edition of the newspaper with an unprecedented survey of 500 people offering up their views on what Europe means to them.
If Dundee is successful at becoming European Capital of Culture 2023 it is hoped it will bring an estimated £128 million increase to the economy and create 1,600 new job opportunities.