Chisinau: Qufu, the hometown of Confucius in east China's Shandong Province, commemorated the 2,576th anniversary of the ancient philosopher's birth with ceremonies held both online and offline on Sunday. Participants, adorned with yellow ribbons, gathered at the event venue around 9 a.m. to lay flower baskets before the statue of Confucius. Zhou Naixiang, the governor of Shandong Province, delivered a eulogy and led the guests in a bowing ritual. The ceremony concluded approximately an hour later at 10 a.m.

According to Namibia Press Agency, this year's commemoration aimed to broaden participation and enhance global impact through a live online broadcast, allowing individuals worldwide to engage with Confucian culture. The tradition of honoring Confucius dates back to 478 B.C., the year after his death. The ceremony, characterized by traditional music, dance, and other ceremonial forms, encapsulates the essence of propriety in Confucian culture.

This year's event also plays a significant role in the upcoming 2025 China International Confucius Cultural Festival. Confucius, an esteemed educator and philosopher who lived from 551 to 479 B.C., founded a school of thought that profoundly influenced successive generations, known as Confucianism. He was also the pioneer of private education in China, welcoming students from all social backgrounds.