The 2024 China International Confucius Cultural Festival is underway in Qufu City, east China's Shandong Province, the birthplace of Confucius. With the theme "Conversation with Confucius, mutual learning among civilizations," this year's event seeks to explore the modern relevance of Confucian teachings and facilitate cultural exchange on an international scale.

Confucius, born over 2,500 years ago in Qufu, was an influential Chinese philosopher and educator whose teachings emphasized morality, social relationships and justice. His philosophy, known as Confucianism, has had a profound impact on Chinese culture and East Asian societies, shaping values, behavior and governance for centuries.

Running from September 27 to October 7, this year's festival has broad global involvement, with over 370 guests from 36 countries and regions across five continents. For the first time, the event is organized with a main venue in Qufu and a secondary venue in Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province, both celebrating Confucius and his cultural impact.

To make the ancient philosophy more accessible to the younger generation, the festival features creative and interactive experiences. "Kong Xiaoli," an AI-powered digital avatar of Confucius, serves as an interactive guide, bringing the ancient teachings to life in a contemporary and engaging manner.

Themed activities such as Hanfu dress-up sessions, Chinese culture workshops, and heritage appreciation events like shadow puppet performances offer immersive experiences for all ages, encouraging public participation and connecting traditional Confucian values with modern life. Digital exhibitions and self-guided tours are also introduced to make Confucian culture more accessible and engaging.