The 2025 Shanghai Confucius Culture Festival opened in the city on Sept 20 at the Jiading Confucius Temple — presenting a vivid blend of traditional rituals and modern experiences.
The ongoing event highlights Confucian heritage and Jiading district's rich cultural identity.
City and district leaders inaugurate the festival in Shanghai's Jiading district. [Photo/WeChat ID: sh-jiading]
This year's festival runs through to late October with more than 20 themed events. It unfolds through three chapters — reverence for the sage, elegance of poetry and ritual and brilliance of life. Locals and visitors can join in garden-style activities that bridge past and present, exploring Jiading's deep-rooted reputation as a city of enlightenment.
Xiao Wengao, Party secretary of Jiading district, delivers a speech at the festival. [Photo/WeChat ID: sh-jiading]
Xiao Wengao, Party secretary of Jiading district, Shanghai said that Jiading's Confucian traditions — emphasizing people as the foundation of governance and a spirit of progress — have long driven local social and economic development.
Launched in 2008, the annual event serves as a platform to celebrate Confucian culture and to promote cultural exchanges. Organizers plan to strengthen the festival's brand by integrating culture, tourism, commerce, sports and exhibitions to meet growing consumer demand for diverse cultural experiences.
Dancers in traditional hanfu apparel perform at the Jiading Confucius Temple. [Photo/WeChat ID: sh-jiading]
The opening featured new initiatives such as cultural tourism plans, civic education projects, international exchanges and immersive theater programs — all designed to foster dialogue across ages and cultures.