Still present as you notice its absence

This audiowalk reflects on Rotterdam’s identity through the personal experiences of being a tourist, a migrant, and a local. Traversing the border between the parts of the city which were rebuilt after World War Two and those which were left intact, Kyiv-born artist Anna Khvyl and Rotterdam-based Katía Truijen engage in a dialogue about the urban landscape. As we move alongside them, we listen to musical compositions made from field recordings of Rotterdam's sounds—those initially inaudible to the human ear—mixed with fragments of personal conversations and audio diaries.

We closely explore one of the world’s largest ports, connected by water to distant places and lives thousands of kilometres away. By examining the wartime experiences of Rotterdam and Kyiv, the artist poses questions about each city’s conception of self. The walk invites us to join Khvyl on a very personal journey, listening closely to the city, observing its ongoing negotiation with water, and exploring its suppressed memories.

By Anna Khvyl in collaboration with Katía Truijen and Piotr Armianovski With participation of Constance van Duinen, Hein Eberson, Alevtina Kakhidze, Dyvyna Ensemble Photo @le_kristyna

Commissioned by Field Recordings Festival and WORM Rotterdam in 2024

Starting point: Coolsingel 120 (next to the exit from metro Beurs)