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Qufu holds ceremonial activities to commemorate Confucius, the great thinker, educator, and the founder of Confucianism, extending 15 days from Sept. 26 to Oct. 10 every year. Since 1984, Qufu has managed the festival successfully for 14 years, each time attracting more than 5,000 tourists and Confucian descendents from overseas, and more than 100,000 travellers from all the country.
Now the festival has got known in the international market and become the favorite brand of travel route for tourists both at home and abroad. During the festival every year, there is a series of rich and colorful programs with a strong local flavor of the hometown of Confucius and Mencius. The major events are the opening ceremony; large-scale mimic music and dance performances worshiping Confucius; the great sacrificial ceremony to Confucius joined by Chinese and foreign tourists, compatriots, overseas Chinese, descendants of Confucius, and celebrities in every social sector; grand theatrical performances participated by national famous actors or singers, reflecting the confucian and Mencian thoughts and culture, and having the local taste of the hometown of Confucius and Mencius; special tours such as Confucius'round trip to the states in the Spring and Autumn Period, study tours and wedding ceremonies in Confucius'hometown, and sightseeings in ancient chariots to the world cultural heritage—Confucian Temple, Mansion, and Cemetery, gourmet tours to enjoy the Kong family banquets and wedding banquets. At the same time, seminars are held to exchange Confucian thoughts and culture, together with various meetings or negotiations on business and trade. Isn't it delightful to have friends coming from afar? The warm and hospital 7,600,00 people of Jining, the hometown of Confucius and Mencius, welcome you to the China International Confucian Festival.