The 2021 Multi-lingual Reciting Performance of Confucian Classics kicked off in Jinan, capital of Shandong province on Dec 24.

The 2021 Multi-lingual Reciting Performance of Confucian Classics gets underway on Dec 24. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese and foreign students, as well as Sinology enthusiasts who participated in the event demonstrated the unique charm of China's traditional culture through stage plays, dance performances, and Chinese kung fu.

Collins, an international student from Zimbabwe, made a special trip to attend the reading event. He believes Confucian classics such as the Analects of Confucius contain excellent traditional virtues that can be combined with modern life, and can benefit people who study them.

"I will bring more Confucian classics back to my hometown and share them with more people," Collins said.

An international student performs at the event. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"'It is always a pleasure to greet a friend from afar' is my favorite line in the Analects of Confucius," said Alatda Vangmoua, a student from Laos. "Shandong is the hometown of Confucius and has a strong Confucian cultural atmosphere. Here, you can get access to more Confucian classics and get a better feel of the cultural exchange and collision."

"Traditional cultural classics are the key to exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and Western civilizations. They have the unique charm of showing Chinese civilization to the world across language and ethnic barriers," said Guo Chengyan, Party secretary of Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies, which is located in Qufu, Shandong province. The center is designed to develop into a world-recognized Confucian center focused on academic research, talent cultivation, communication and international cooperation.

Chinese and foreign students perform together at the event. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"I hope that the reciting event will open up a new channel for language and cultural exchange and promote the inheritance and dissemination of excellent traditional Chinese culture," Guo said.

"Shandong will make good use of its unique cultural and educational resources, promote the integrated development of various cultures, give full play to the cultural exchange function of reading activities, as well as strengthen the education of traditional cultural knowledge and concepts including Confucian classics," said Sun Xiaojun, deputy director of Shandong Provincial Education Department.

Up to now, Shandong has established 28 Confucius Institutes and 33 Confucius classrooms in schools across the world, and more than 40 universities and colleges have institutes overseas, which has greatly promoted and developed traditional Chinese culture and education.

Since its launch in September, the reciting event received more than 32,000 recitals from 47 countries including China, Russia, the United States, the UK, France, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.

Performers recite Confucian classics at the event. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

International students receive awards for their excellent performances at the event.  [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Students recite Confucian classics at the event. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Students perform traditional dance at the event. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]