China marks Confucius’ 2,568th birthday

The city of Qufu held a grand ceremony to celebrate the 2,568th anniversary of its most famous son, ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius. Qufu is Confucius’ hometown.
An educator and philosopher, Confucius (551-479 BC) founded Confucianism, a school of thought that deeply influenced later generations. He was also the first to set up private schools in China that enrolled students from different social classes.
More than 2,500 students and company employees recited classic quotes from The Analects, a record of Confucius’ ideas and sayings, in front of the Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong province.
Around 3,500 participants, including UNESCO officials, scholars, students and descendants of Confucius from over 20 countries and regions, marched to the temple, wearing yellow ribbons.
Dancers, wearing costumes from the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD), performed a ritual dance. Representatives presented flower baskets in front of a statue of Confucius, and each participant bowed three times before the statue.
The city started holding annual commemorations of Confucius in 478 BC, the year after his death.