Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Diplomacy at Qufu Celebration
The 2025 China International Confucius Cultural Festival commenced with a luminous ceremony in Qufu, Shandong Province, drawing global attention to Confucian ideals of peace and mutual understanding. Against a backdrop of traditional music and dance performances, the event unveiled its theme: "For a world of shared peace and harmony with benevolence and ancient rituals."
Lin Wu, Secretary of the Communist Party of China Shandong Provincial Committee, emphasized the festival's role in addressing contemporary challenges. "As the cradle of Confucian thought, Shandong is uniquely positioned to bridge cultural divides through dialogue and cooperation," he stated, highlighting plans to expand international partnerships in education and sustainable development.
The ceremony also recognized global education pioneers through the 20th UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy, honoring initiatives from 12 countries that advance lifelong learning. This year's laureates included digital literacy programs in rural Indonesia and refugee education projects in Jordan.
With over 5,000 attendees from 68 countries and regions, the festival features symposiums on ethical governance and AI ethics, alongside exhibitions of Zhou Dynasty ritual artifacts. Tourism officials announced new cultural routes connecting Qufu's Temple of Confucius with Silk Road heritage sites, creating fresh opportunities for cultural explorers and investors alike.
