Eastern Chinese City Observes Confucius' 2,575th Birthday

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- The 2,575th birth anniversary of the revered Chinese philosopher Confucius was held on Sept 28  in the eastern Chinese city of Quzhou, located in Zhejiang Province.

In a statement, Quzhou Southern Confucianism Culture Development Center said the ceremonial event seeks to respect the sage and honour rituals as well as promote nationwide worship of Confucius to achieve universal harmony.

Quzhou Southern Confucianism Development Center director, Sheng Xiongsheng said this year, the Confucius worship ceremony has, for the first time, moved beyond the confines of the ancestral temple and taken place at the Confucius Cultural Square located in front of the temple.

"By doing so, it has opened up the participation to representatives from various sectors of society in the city's public space, enabling the general public to take part in honouring and worshipping Confucius.

“This year's ceremony also launched an online initiative for Confucius worship, which has attracted widespread participation from individuals worldwide and from all walks of life,” said Sheng.

Quzhou, with its long history and rich cultural heritage, is renowned as the southeastern gateway and the sacred land of southern Confucianism due to its status as the ancestral home and secondary hometown of Confucius and his descendants.

In 2004, Quzhou revived the interrupted tradition of the Confucius worship ceremony, which had been discontinued for many years, where the worship ceremony in the city stands out for its contemporary and down-to-earth approach, in contrast to traditional Confucius worship ceremonies.

Meanwhile, in May 2011, the Confucius worship ceremony in Quzhou was officially included in the third batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage list.

Through innovative initiatives such as the Confucius worship ceremony and the Southern Confucianism season, Quzhou has successfully established the urban brand of a sacred land of southern Confucianism and a land with etiquette.

These efforts have not only enhanced the city's level of civilisation and reputation but also injected new impetus into the high-quality development of the regional economy. By integrating Southern Confucianism into modern life, Quzhou fully demonstrates the contemporary and practical significance of this cultural heritage.

-- BERNAMA