Sounds of Bruges - Soundscape of the Brugge city, Belgium, België
Soundscape of the Bruges city, Belgium.
Creating a soundscape of each Belgian city brings a deep-seated originality, especially in view of the fundamental atmosphere variation that can be found. Some places are incomparable, even though it is a small country. As such, Brugge in Dutch, Bruges in French, is an extreme. It’s no more and no less than Belgium's Barcelona – the most touristic city – targeted by tour operators : a day stay (or even less) during a high-speed circuit from Brussels to Brugge via Amsterdam.
Brugge is always crowded, whatever the hour, whatever the day. Like these overbuilt cities, churches are not free, car parks are overpriced, restaurants are tourist-traps. However, after this colossal amount of pitfalls (which notably produces that I dislike this city, preferring Gent to it), Brugge could be charming, with its aesthetic canals, its small cobbled streets, the low houses carefully cared for, the quiet parks out of the way.
So, how can we build this soundscape ? Going there in the middle of August, in a rush, or simply record outside of any peak period ? The second feature had been chosen, with the aim of quarely prevent the caricature, preferring to approach the simple real way of life of this city, which apart the undeniable tourist centre, remains a major city in Belgium.
0:00 - Guided tour of the Brugge city near the Mozarthuys. Very much tourists and a lot of guides showing the way with colourful umbrellas.
4:16 - Wijngaardplein. Bruges can be visited by horse-drawn carriage. Horses walk tourists for a plump price. The city of Bruges is totally inseparable from the sound of hooves on the cobblestones. Streets in the city center are flooded with these journeys, a real horses ballet, immediately near the Beguinage.
11:44 - Belfort. A flood of tourists near the belfry, whose carillonneur plays with an undeniable talent.
18:56 - Arentshuis. Tourist guidance in Spanish for many tourists. The guide voice reverberates on the brick facades of this small rectangular square.
23:08 - Markt. Street musician with guitar and after a walk in the center, a street musician plays hang, a rather particular rhythmic and melodious instrument. It’s the troubadour Curt Ceunen.
31:52 - During an heavy traffic at the Katelijnepoort, a red light signal sounds the traffic for blind people. The swing bridge sounds its alarm because a barge is approaching.
34:10 - At the Bruges station. Passengers are in a hurry : sound of the suitcases on the cobblestones, intense reverberation in the reception hall. A person explains what to do to tourists. Walking to the platforms, several intercity trains upcoming.
47:16 - Braambergstraat. An impressive crowd of tourists and the departure of the countless boats that allow you to stroll along the canals of Bruges.
51:56 - Solo bell of the Onze Lieve Vrouw church.
Total duration : 56:24 min.
Brujas, Belgica
9 - 08 - 2012. Tras pasar la mañana con mi primo en casa, volví a visitar Brujas, sus calles, edifcicios históricos y museos como el Groeninge (que es genial y muy muy recomendable el visitarlo) o la casa de Arentshuis (con unas vistas muy buenas de uno de los canales)
La música utilizada han sido instrumentales de:
1 - Katy Perry I Kissed a Girl
2 - Dj Antoine - Welcome to St. Tropez
PD.- El video es totalmente casero y de aficionada, pero espero que os guste! =)