Living in Shandong’s Qufu more than 2,000 years ago, Confucius was one of ancient China’s great philosophers and educators.

Referred to as a “great sage”, he founded Confucianism which has had a huge impact both on China and the whole world.

Held every year on the 28th of September, the birthday of Confucius, the Confucius Memorial Rite is an annual event dedicated to Confucius.

In May 2006, the rite became one of the first batch of items inscribed on the national intangible cultural heritage list.