Sunday marked the 2559th birthday of Confucius. Events all over China commemorated the anniversary of one of China's greatest philosophers.

A ceremony at the ancient home of Confucius got the ceremonies underway, Sunday morning in eastern Shandong.

A ceremony at the ancient home of Confucius got the ceremonies underway, Sunday morning in eastern Shandong. The event was broadcast live by two of the province's major television channels. The famed writer from Hong Kong, Jin Yong wrote the oration. The first World Conference on Confucianism convened. The gathering brings together 170 scholars and experts from 86 Confucius institutes around the world. The agenda focuses on historical research; the modern values of Confucianism; and spreading understanding of the ancient philosopher's thought.

A ceremony at the ancient home of Confucius got the ceremonies underway, Sunday morning in eastern Shandong.

In eastern Zhejiang province, thousands of followers joined groups of international tourists at the Confucian Temple in Quzhou. The structure is one of the most widely recognized in China. The 40-minute ceremony unfolded in two parts. Youthful followers read selected excerpts from the Analects of Confucius. Then 40 students from the deaf-and-mute school gave interpretations in sign language. The ceremony drew a thousand followers. Among them was the 75th eldest grandson of Confucius, Kong Xiangkai. Also attending were the heads of Confucius Institutes in Germany, Russia, Japan and South Korea.

In Changchun, the capital of northeastern Jilin province, the local Wenmiao Temple revived an ancient rite of respect to Confucius. According to tradition, Confucius was born on the 27th day of the eighth of month of the lunar calendar in 551BC. That's September 28th on the solar calendar. Chinese people traditionally hold spectacular memorial services for Confucius every year on the date of his birth. His philosophy has deeply influenced Chinese culture and the cultures of some other eastern Asian countries, for centuries. In recent years, the works of Confucius have become the focus of renewed and intensive study, from East to West.

(CCTV October 1, 2008)