What does Confucius mean to people from different cultural backgrounds? On Sept 28, the 2026 Confucius Memorial Ceremony was held in Qufu, Shandong province, the hometown of Confucius, marking the 2,577th anniversary of his birth.

The ceremony brought together participants from various countries to witness the time-honored rituals honoring Confucius. For some, it offered a closer look at a traditional ceremony; for others, it was an opportunity to reflect on the ideas of Confucius and their relevance today.

Watch the video to hear what they had to say.