Shandong province hosts 2024 China International Confucius Cultural Festival

The 2024 China International Confucius Cultural Festival officially began on Friday, 27th September in Qufu, Jining in Shandong province and is ongoing till 7th October.

This year’s festival seeks to explore the contemporary significance of Confucian culture and promote Chinese culture globally.

Over 370 guests from 36 foreign countries and regions as well as Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan came to participate in the opening ceremonies and other key events.

The 2024 China International Confucius Cultural Festival serves as a platform for international cultural exchange and mutual learning, expanding the influence of Confucianism, contributing to the wider dissemination of Chinese culture, and deepening cultural exchange and mutual learning.

An ancient festival 

28th September marked the 2,575th birthday of Confucius. In addition to the main ceremony in Qufu, Shandong, this year’s Memorial Ceremony for Confucius was also done at a sub-venue in Quzhou, Zhejiang, a hub for Southern Confucianism and also the home of a number of Confucius’ descendants. 

The joint Memorial Ceremony for Confucius by Shandong and Zhejiang provinces symbolised a significant collaboration between the northern and southern celebratory traditions of Confucius.

The Confucius memorial ceremony dates back to 478 BC and has evolved over time. Originally held annually in the autumn, the commemoration began to be held twice a year from the time of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220).

Celebratory events are held throughout the entire province, including several cultural performances, exhibitions, and folk experiences to delve deeper into and promote the essence of Chinese traditional culture.

Qufu is also set to host a global tour of Confucian temples and academies as part of the 2024 China International Confucius Cultural Festival. It will bring together scholars, experts, and administrators from Confucian temples and academies worldwide to discuss the preservation and promotion of Confucian heritage.

Confucius in the 21st century

To further expand the influence of Chinese culture, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism will support Shandong province in collaborating with overseas Chinese Cultural Centers and tourism offices to organise a series of cultural and tourism events.

The Confucius in My Eyes Global Gen Z Photo, Short-video and Writing Contest has been opened to the world, and overseas cultural and tourism promotion activities will be arranged to further expand the influence of Chinese culture.