Expats try their hands at tying Chinese knots during a cultural event in Shandong. [Photo/Dazhong News]

Shandong province, hometown of the great Chinese sage Confucius, has a long history and profound heritage. The province has in recent years been actively promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture.

The Nishan Forum on World Civilizations, which was named after the birthplace of Confucius, has been one of Shandong's major platforms to promote traditional Chinese culture.

Since its establishment in 2010, the forum has grown to become an important window through which the world can learn more about Confucius and other traditions and sages of the past and an important platform for exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations.

From the first academic sub-forum on Confucianism to discussions on culture, education, history and other topics, to exchanges in many fields such as economy, ecology, media, art and traditional Chinese medicine, the forum has been steadily growing in stature.

Visitors at the Confucius Temple in Qufu, East China's Shandong province. [Photo/Dazhong News]

The forum has in recent years also included activities such as cultural tourism experiences, light and shadow shows and cultural exhibitions.

The forum has been held for nine editions. The latest edition included four overseas sub-forums in countries including Greece, Italy and Thailand.

Presently, the Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies has four overseas branch centers and 32 overseas Confucius classrooms in 17 countries and regions.

Various regions in the province have also launched unique cultural activities such as the Weifang International Kite Festival and International Mount Tai Climbing Festival, attracting people from all over the world to experience the cultural charm of Shandong.