Hundreds of youngsters from across Dundee took part in the UK’s first ever design-focused street parade at the weekend.
Dundee’s youth communities worked in collaboration with the international Unesco City of Design network – a group of 31 design cities including Bilbao, Berlin, Montreal and Detroit – in preparation for the parade.
The 31 Dundonian youth organisations taking part included Rock Solid, LGBT Youth Scotland, Mix Up Theatre, Police Scotland Youth Volunteers, young people from The Corner and Dundee Youth Council.
Sammy Keith, community development officer for Police Scotland Youth Volunteers, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be involved in the parade.
“For Dundee to be part of a group of global network alongside cities like Beijing, Singapore and Montreal makes this project even more exciting.
“Dundee is an incredible place to be at the moment and its great to involve our youth volunteers in as much as we can, with 2018 being Scotland’s Year of Young People what better way to celebrate than to showcase the creativity of Dundee’s young people.”
AND we're off! Still time to head down and see the amazing work on display! We are heading down Reform Street, onto commercial, murraygate then back around to @McManusDundee and returning to City Square @CairdHallDundee #dundeedesignparade #dundeedesignfest pic.twitter.com/fUJtvU3SOO
— Dundee City ofDesign (@DesignDundee) May 26, 2018
Anna Day, manager of Unesco Dundee City of Design, said the parade had been “a riot of colour, music and design” and showcased “a genuine collaboration between Dundee’s young people and the international UNESCO design network”.
“Dundee is part of global family of 31 design cities, including places as diverse as Berlin, Detroit and Shenzhen, as a result of being awarded Unesco City of Design status in 2015,” she said.
So proud to be part of this. We represented Singapore. Thanks to @jillskulina for helping the children create their masks. #dundeedesignparade pic.twitter.com/tzCyd556bS
— standrewsrcprimary (@standrewsrcprim) May 26, 2018
“31 global cities have given 31 Dundee youth groups a unique object representing their individual cities as inspiration for the Design Parade.”
Paul Bush, director of events for Visit Scotland, added: “We are delighted to be supporting the Dundee Design Parade as part of Scotland’s Year of Young People celebrations.
We love the flying bunny! National symbol of Singapore ?#dundeedesignparade pic.twitter.com/1jS6F8bUlD
— standrewsrcprimary (@standrewsrcprim) May 26, 2018
“The parade is an incredible opportunity for young people to express themselves through art and design and to showcase their unique talents and skills.
“As all eyes are on Dundee in 2018, this international co-production between Dundee’s young people and the international UNESCO design community further reinforces Scotland as the perfect stage for events.”
