The International Confucius Cultural Festival opened Wednesday in Qufu, Confucius' birthplace in east China's Shandong Province.

Tours of Confucius' hometown and the Confucius Temple, a concert of ancient Chinese music, a photo show and a trade fair will be held during the festival, which runs from September 26 to October 10.

At the opening ceremony, a grand musical and dance performance was staged.

Confucius (BC551-BC479) is regarded as a great thinker and educator in Chinese history. Confucianism, the school of thought that developed from his ideas, has had a tremendous influence on China's political, cultural and social environment for thousands of years.

(Xinhua News Agency 09/26/2001)