On September 28, a grand memorial ceremony honoring the great philosopher Confucius was held in Qufu with the theme of “Embracing Benevolence and Propriety under Heaven, Pursuing Co-existence of Harmony and Cooperation”, fully showcasing the essence of Chinese ritual and musical culture.
The public memorial ceremony for Confucius differs from general cultural activities, requiring a deep exploration of cultural connotations while maintaining a solemn and respectful tone. This year’s ceremony adhered to the principles of preserving the cultural foundation of worshiping Confucius, maintaining a solemn and respectful tone, and keeping the basic procedures and rituals unchanged.
The event features a ceremonial opening for the first time, with a performance team consisting of 64 dancers of the Shu Jian dance, 64 lantern dancers, 64 Yi dance performers, and 64 ceremonial guards. Through profound music, prominent ceremonies, solemn scenes, and elegant costumes, the Grand Ceremony of Worship of Confucius was endowed with deeper cultural connotations.
After the ceremony, elementary school students recited classic Chinese quotes, and calligraphy teachers guided Chinese and foreign students in writing passages from the Analects of Confucius, presenting guests with the Lament to Confucius so as to echo the experiential gathering and express reverence for the most sacred sage, and promote the cultural inheritance.