2024 China Confucius Fest celebrates 2,575 years of philosophy

The 2024 China International Confucius Cultural Festival in Qufu, Shandong province, is set to begin on Sept 27, celebrating 2,575 years since the birth of the Chinese philosopher.

The festival will feature a ceremony honoring the legacy of Confucianism, a global exploration of Confucius temples and academies and a diverse array of 100 cultural showcases, exhibitions and folk experiences centered around the teachings of Confucius.

Among the nearly 400 foreign guests attending the festival will be ambassadors and consuls from 36 countries and regions, including Armenia, Japan and South Korea.

For the first time, the festival will feature a joint commemoration of Confucius, with the main venue in Qufu and the branch venue in Quzhou, Zhejiang province, said Wen Nuan, vice governor of Shandong, at a news conference in Beijing on Friday.

The international festival will emphasize the mutual exchange of civilizations through an initiative that centers on discussing the cultural dialogue surrounding Confucian heritage. Temples and academies will explore the context in which Confucianism strengthens global exchanges and mutual learning.

During the festival, tourist sites will highlight Confucian heritage with performances, including recitals, dances, poems and operas.

More than 70 international Chinese centers and tourism offices helped coordinate the festival.