Agnieszka Wojciechowska

Green and public urban spaces in principle easily turn into a stage for cultural events and venue for free artistic creation or self-manifestation. Usually, it is filled by works of art and activities spontaneously created by residents, as well as those that are a part of urban cultural policies. During my research visit to China, I analyse ways of using public space by residents of selected Chinese cities in the Yunnan province, the most frequently presented phenomena of contemporary culture and cultural heritage, the way of speaking about culture, forms of leisure and "bottom-up" impact of creative cultural activity of citizens. The analysis process is focused on the presence and absence of certain phenomena in public space, as well as identifying for which kind of phenomena there is no place in public urban space. The researcher's special attention is drawn to all kinds of activities referring to ethnic minority cultures inhabiting the Yunnan province (there are about 25 of them) - promoting their distinctness and uniqueness, as well as numerous references to the craft traditions most characteristic to the cities of the Yunnan region. Cultural artefacts commemorating Chinese history, traditional games and promotion of the local cultural heritage are also well represented in public space. A very special part of the research is dedicated to urban festivals - fiestas and art festivals as well as new creative spaces, emerging as the centres of creative business and tools for revitalizing post-industrial spaces.