The Impact of Gender on Individuals’ Motivation and Engagement inCultural Events

This study examines the influence of gender on individuals' motivation (EGM) and engagement (EGI) in cultural events, highlighting its significance in the context of economic activities and climate change.Using a structural equation model with a sample of 326 respondents from Romania, the research tests three hypotheses: (1) motivation directly influences engagement in cultural events, (2) gender directly affects engagement, and (3) gender directly impacts motivation.The results confirm a significant effect of motivation on engagement (p=0.000)but do not support a direct influence of gender on engagement (p=0.595) or motivation (p=0.203), with the model showing acceptable fit (SRMR=0.701,NFI=0.932).These findings underscore motivation as a key driver of cultural participation, suggesting that gender does not play a significant role in the Romanian context.However, understanding gender dynamics is important for cultural event organizers to promote inclusive participation, which can enhance economic activities through cultural tourism and the promotion of local identity, as supported by Culturadata ( 2022).In the context of climate change, cultural events can serve as platforms for raising awareness and promoting sustainable practices, requiring strategies that leverage motivation to engage diverse audiences.These insights are valuable for aligning cultural initiatives with economic resilience and environmental sustainability, particularly in regions like Oltenia, where socio-cultural and economic contexts are evolving.