International students from Shandong University of Technology participate in the Confucius Culture Festival in Qufu

english.dzwww.com2024-10-30 10:18:18

　　In the golden autumn, when the world is pure and harmonious, people around the globe come together to honor the Great Sage. On the occasion of the 2575th anniversary of the birth of Confucius, the great thinker, educator, and founder of Confucianism, invited by Confucius China, Shandong University of Technology organized a delegation of international students to attend the Confucius Culture Festival in Qufu, Jining, from September 27th to 28th, to experience the charm of Confucian culture and immerse themselves deeply in the allure of Confucius.

　　On the evening of the 27th, the students participated in the opening ceremony of the Confucius Culture Festival and the award ceremony of the "UNESCO Confucius Prize for Research in Education." At the venue, the international students sensed the importance attached by the Ministry of Education and the provincial government to Confucian culture. They witnessed the exchange and dissemination of Confucian thought worldwide, listened to performances in various forms such as symphonies infused with Confucian spirit, national operas, situational dramas reflecting contemporary themes, and plays, all of which deeply impressed them. They personally experienced the influence of Confucian culture on contemporary China and the world today.

　　On the morning of the 28th, the student representatives traveled to Confucius Temple to participate in the Grand Public Sacrifice Ceremony for Confucius in the Year of the Dragon (Jachen, based on the Chinese zodiac). The students observed the grand opening ceremony of the city gate and the sacrifice ceremony for Confucius. Although they did not fully understand the meaning of the sacrificial texts written in classical Chinese, they were deeply interested and kept asking questions to their teachers. At the end of the ceremony, the students joined everyone in performing three bows to Confucius, expressing their respect for him and their approval of Confucian culture.

　　In the afternoon of the 28th, the students embarked on a cultural tourism experience and field observation activity titled "Bathing and Singing." At the Confucius Museum, they personally experienced the historical background of Confucius's life, learned about the formation process of Confucianism, and gained a tangible understanding of the Confucian concept of "the mean" (zhongyong) through a water bucket experiment.

　　At Confucius Temple and Confucius Mansion, the students visited the Jinsheng Yuzhen Archway, the statue of Confucius, the thousand-year-old cypress trees, and other cultural relics. They sensed the importance attached to Confucius by dynasties throughout history and experienced the inheritance and development of Confucian thought in today's world. They expressed their intentions to read more Confucian classics in the future to feel the charm of Chinese culture.

　　Through this event, the international students had profound encounters with Confucius and Confucianism,personally experienced the impact of Confucian thought on China and the world,which ignited their passion for exploring Chinese culture, and deepened their understanding of and friendship with China.