Living Memories — World COVID Tribute for the WHO is a short format (19 mins) documentary directed by Michael Muench, conceived by multidisciplinary artist Marcos Lutyens, and developed in close collaboration with the World Health Organization’s Healing Arts Programme. The film documents the creation and global unfolding of Living Memories, an Augmented Reality–based memorial and social-healing initiative responding to the collective trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Blending participatory rituals, immersive sound, and digital environments, the documentary traces the project’s journey from its inauguration in New York during the 78th United Nations General Assembly (September 2023)—where it was launched by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO—to subsequent international activations across multiple countries and cultural contexts. Through intimate testimonies and collective acts of remembrance, the film gives voice to shared experiences of loss, care, and resilience during a period of global rupture.
Central to the film is its original musical composition and choral performances by the Global Scrub Choir, an international collective of healthcare workers whose voices form the emotional and ethical core of the work. The documentary positions Living Memories as both a record of collective healing and a call to action—foregrounding the urgent need for global solidarity, cross-border cooperation, and sustained investment in public-health preparedness in the face of future pandemics.
CREDITS
Produced in collaboration with
World Health Organization (WHO)
With the participation of
Dr. Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusPaul GarwoodValentina Donofrio Margaret Kahuthia Gina MaramagRoy WadiaTom Watkins
The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia Michele Gretano
Estácio de Sá Family Health Center, Brazil
Hospital Municipal Ronaldo Gazolla, BrazilDr. Minadada P. Grewal
Museu do Amanhã, Brazil
Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Brazil
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
City of Aguascalientes, Mexico

Directed by Michael Muench
Music & Sound Original Music and Score Ray Hou
“Deep Peace” (O’Brien, 2023) Composed by Dr. Emma O’Brien OAM Lyrics from a traditional Gaelic blessing
Performed by Global Scrub Choir Chamber Lab
Darcy Carroll — Baritone Dr. Emma O’Brien OAM — Soprano Henry O’Brien — Bass Baritone Olivia O’Brien — Mezzo Soprano
Sound Engineer & Sound Production Craig Pilkington Recorded at Audrey Studios, Melbourne, Australia
© “Deep Peace” — Dr. Emma O’Brien OAM, 2023

Augmented Reality & Digital Collaboration
Tyler Calkin-Low
Quilt
Rightfully Sewn
Tunic
Ximena Valero
Additional Programming Support Max van Leeuwen


Global Scrub Choir Global Scrub Choir is an international healthcare workers’ choir founded in 2020 by Australian healthcare worker and music therapist Dr. Emma O’Brien OAM. Global Scrub Choir Champions are active in Australia, Brazil, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, the Philippines, South Sudan, the United Kingdom, and Zambia.
Special Thanks
World Health Organization
The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia
Fondation Valmont The Guillon Family
Galleria Alberta Pane Laura Whitcomb Raizoh Lippit Yi-Ping Hou Lutyens
Camilla Taylor Laura Parker

Global Scrub Choir — Australia
Premiere performances of Living Memories, New York, September 2023(Central Park, Mount Sinai Hospital, United Nations Headquarters, Lincoln Center)
Vocals Dr. Benjamin Pei Sutu Dr. Emma O’Brien OAM Dr. Greg Humble Dr. Kimberly Corson Olivia O’Brien Nadia Millar Zoe Gladstones
Koshi Chimes Fritzie Marmitavina Abeline Nugara with Dr. Silvana — GSC Champion, Brazil

Global Scrub Choir — Geneva 2024
Anita Ayling Dr. Emma O’Brien OAM Fritzie Marmitavina Julia Gorton Maria Leonar, RN Dr. Natalia Evertsz Olivia O’Brien with Dr. Mustafa Binjaapar — GSC Champion, Malaysia