Abstract:
The paper deals with the creation of cultural landscapes by European minorities.
Looking at the map of European linguistic minorities we observe strong assimilation processes
(connected with globalization, new media, a uniformity of lifestyles) resulting in the diffusion
of minorities into the dominant culture. It also seems that the presence of minorities in Europe
has become increasingly expressive. It is not concealed within the private lives of individuals,
but has a strong influence on the creation of cultural landscapes, delimits their space and uses
its influence for the promotion of the minority cultures. One can see an increasing number of
visual indicators of bilingualism, such as street signs, names of institutions, inscriptions on
billboards, etc. Events organized by the minorities, such as picnics, festivals, fairs, etc. are also
more noticeable. There is a debate on the actions of civil disobedience (in Wales and in
Brittany) and their consequences leading to the implementation of visual bilingualism. The
circumstances and results of the introduction in Poland of bilingual signs in the areas inhabited
by linguistic minorities – the Kashubs and the Lemkos – are publicly discussed. Finally, the
actions taken up by the Kashubs are presented in the media. These actions serve the cultural
management of their space and the strengthening of their identity through the invented
traditions and cultural engagement. The visual presence of minority languages and cultures in
a specific territory create sharper ethnic boundaries.
