Tourism vs. devotion

The original recording captures the environs of San Agustin Church early in the morning, as the city awakes around the tree-line square in front of the church. The reimagined piece keeps in mind that a UNESCO-listed church is primarily a place of worship, not a place of tourism, though the addition of the UNESCO recognition often has negative consequences on the original intent for the site, as tourism overtakes contemplation and devotion. 

The sounds from outside the church are swallowed up by great, warm layers of synthesised ambience, as we attempt to reintroduce the devotional into a space that is sometimes challenged by its very status as a special site.

San Agustin, Manila reimagined by Cities and Memory.

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This sound is part of the Sonic Heritage project, exploring the sounds of the world’s most famous sights.

Find out more and explore the whole project: https://www.citiesandmemory.com/heritage