Los archivos sonoros en España: entre memoria, profesión y políticas culturales

Abstract

The debate addresses the recognition and integration of sound heritage within the Spanish heritage system, taking into account its historical evolution and the challenges arising from technological and cultural changes. The participants agree that, although significant progress has been made thanks to digitisation, the promotion of intangible heritage and the emergence of new cultural practices, this recognition remains insufficient due to its belated and uneven development. Historically subordinate to institutions focused on other types of collections, sound archives have moved from performing instrumental functions—linked to industry, research or broadcasting—to being progressively regarded as cultural assets, without this having led to full structural consolidation. Consequently, the debate focuses not only on the preservation of sound heritage, but also on the need to strengthen its institutional recognition, accessibility and effective integration into cultural strategies, with the aim of ensuring its future development as an essential part of our collective heritage.