We explore cultural participation's impact on subjective well-being in Cluj Metropolitan Area. Using telephone surveys, we identify a positive correlation between cultural engagement and increased well-being, mediated by cultural appraisal. Three primary participation types—active, receptive, and entertainment-related—are identified. Active and entertainment-related activities indirectly enhance well-being through cultural appraisal, while receptive participation shows no significant direct or indirect effect. Controlling socio-economic factors, the mediation analysis underscores cultural practices’ significant impact on well-being. These findings support the “cultural commoning” hypothesis, indicating collective urban cultural engagement fosters shared values and improves subjective well-being.
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