2,576th anniversary of Confucius' birth marked in the philosopher’s hometown
(ECNS) -- A grand ceremony commemorating the 2,576th anniversary of Confucius (551-479 BC) was held in Qufu, the hometown of the ancient philosopher in East China's Shandong Province, on Sunday.
The grand ceremony began at about 9 a.m. and lasted about one hour. Zhou Naixiang, governor of Shandong Province, read the eulogy and led the guests in bowing.
“It is very impressive,” said a participant from the United States. She noted that she had studied Confucius' philosophy in the U.S., but visiting the Confucius Temple in person, seeing the ancient and elegant architecture, and experiencing the solemn and respectful ceremony felt like having a conversation across time and space with Confucius himself.
This year's commemoration featured a live online broadcast, enabling people worldwide to engage with Confucian culture. It is also a key part of the 2025 China International Confucius Cultural Festival.
As an educator and philosopher, Confucius and his philosophy profoundly influenced later generations.