The Nishan Sacred Land in Qufu, Shandong province. [Photo/WeChat account: qfnishan]

The ninth Nishan Forum on World Civilizations Festival will be held in the hometown of Confucius at the foot of Nishan Mountain in Qufu, Shandong province, from Sept 26 to 28.

Under the theme of "Common values for mankind and a community with a shared future for mankind - strengthening exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations to jointly address global challenges", the ninth Nishan Forum on World Civilizations will feature a number of activities, including a main forum, high-level dialogues, keynote speeches, interviews with ministers and diplomats, 13 sub-forums in Qufu, and three overseas sub-forums in Thailand, Austria and Italy.

The Nishan forum, which will feature government officials, scholars, descendants of Confucius and youth representatives from around the world, is aimed at promoting excellent traditional Chinese culture and other brilliant cultures across the world, as well as enhancing communications and mutual learning between different civilizations.

Tourists wearing traditional Chinese clothing write classic quotes from The Analects at the Nishan Sacred Land. [Photo/WeChat account: qfnishan]

In recent years, Shandong, as the home province of Confucius and an important source of Chinese traditional culture, has made great strides in expanding the international influence of Chinese civilizations and stimulating the vitality of cultural innovation and creativity so as to build a new highland for cultural exchange and mutual learning.

The province has also called for the establishment of a global exchange platform to advance the construction of the Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies and the Nishan forum in an integrated manner. Starting in 2020, the Nishan forum and the Confucius festival have been held as an integrated event.

Furthermore, Shandong has been bolstering the creative transformation and innovative development of traditional Chinese cultures. The province has made solid progress in enhancing cultural confidence, vitalizing traditional cultures and advancing regional cultural heritage and demonstration projects.

Students dressed in traditional costumes worship the statue of Confucius at Nishan Sacred Land. [Photo/WeChat account: qfnishan]

Shandong is aiming to strengthen cultural exchanges with the world and promote traditional cultures to a wider audience through events and initiatives such as the Nishan forum, the Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies, the integration for global Chinese classics, the "Masters of Confucianism" plan and a demonstration area for the inheritance and development of traditional cultures.

The province is striving to be a pioneer in the inheritance and development of Confucian culture, the internalization communication of traditional Chinese cultures and the exchange and mutual learning of world civilizations. 

Tourists transcribe classic quotes from The Analects, a collection of ideas and sayings from the ancient Chinese philosopher, at Nishan Sacred Land. [Photo/WeChat account: qfnishan]