Scenes from the Confucius Commemoration Ceremony. [Photos by Yang Guoqing/For China Daily]

The words of theAnalectsrose into the autumn air, set to ancient music at the Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong province, on Monday. A crowd stepped forward to place flower baskets and bow. The ceremony was measured and solemn, a tribute to Confucius that has continued in various forms for centuries in Qufu, his hometown.

This year marks the 2,577th anniversary of Confucius' birth, an influential educator and philosopher whose teachings became the foundation of Confucianism and shaped Chinese society and thought for generations. He advocated teaching students regardless of their social background.

The tradition of commemorating Confucius began in 478 BC, a year after his death, and has evolved to feature ancient music, ceremonial dances and traditional rituals.

The gathering was part of this year's China International Confucius Cultural Festival that carries the theme "Benevolence and Rituals for a World of Shared Harmony".

The festival drew about 300 participants from 44 countries and regions, including foreign dignitaries, diplomats, UNESCO Confucius Prize laureates, overseas travel agents, and young Sinologists.

The festival runs through Oct 7 and takes Confucian culture overseas through study tours, brings it into everyday life through temple fairs, promotes the reading of Confucian classics worldwide, and follows Confucius' legacy along the Grand Canal.

Scenes from the Confucius Commemoration Ceremony. [Photos by Yang Guoqing/For China Daily]

Held alongside the festival, the Nishan Forum brought together 340 guests from more than 40 countries, including roughly 120 foreign attendees from the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, and Italy.

Wang Jiayi, vice-minister of education, highlighted Confucius' long-standing influence as an educator, citing principles including "education for all without discrimination", "teaching according to aptitude", and "learning with constant practice".

Wang said that these ideas continue to resonate today.

Lin Wu, secretary of the Shandong Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, said that Confucian thought took root in China and reflects the spiritual pursuits of the Chinese nation, embodying the distinctive charm of Chinese civilization.

He said its emphasis on benevolence, harmony in diversity, and the doctrine of the mean offers inspiration for addressing global challenges and the problems facing humanity today.

"As the world changes rapidly, people expect to meet through culture," Lin said, describing the festival as a platform for cultural exchange and mutual learning.

He also emphasized the importance of preserving cultural diversity and keeping traditional culture connected to contemporary life.

Scenes from the Confucius Commemoration Ceremony. [Photos by Yang Guoqing/For China Daily]