The curtain has lifted on the 2022 China (Qufu) International Confucius Cultural Festival (ICCF) in Qufu, east China's Shandong Province, the hometown of the ancient Chinese sage and educator Confucius.

The theme of this year's ICCF is "Commemorating the 2573rd Birthday of Confucius," and the theme of the Nishan Forum on World Civilizations held at the same time is "The Diversity of Human Civilizations and the Common Values of Mankind." The event will see a single academic forum transformed into a comprehensive humanities forum.

There will be nine group dialogues during the forum, covering the following topics: Integrated Development of Cultures and Shared Values of Humanity, Exchanges, Mutual Learning and Innovative Development of Civilizations, Chinese Civilization and World Civilizations, Fine Traditional Chinese Culture and a New Model for Human Advancement, COVID-19 Pandemic and Human Civilizations, International Cooperation and Culture of Integrity, World Civilizations and the Digital Age, and Traditional Culture and Modern Lifestyle.

The forum will also feature 14 high-level academic exchange activities, including keynote speeches, interviews and dialogues.

To broaden the scope of the forum and highlight cultural characteristics, nine parallel sub-forums have been set up. The following topics are to be discussed: Diversity of Literature and Common Values of Mankind, Protection and Utilization of Confucian Cultural Heritage, the Mission and Stylistic Innovation of Reportage in the New Era, Young People's Role in Carrying Forward and Elevating World Civilizations, Nishan World Forum on Culture of Confucian Entrepreneurs, the Positive Role of Overseas Chinese in Promoting the Spread of Chinese Civilization and Exchanges and Mutual Learning between Chinese Civilization and Other Civilizations, the Responsibilities and Missions of Universities in the New Round of Scientific and Technological Revolution and Industrial Transformation, and Diverse Civilizations and Innovation of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

More than 600 experts and scholars from different fields have confirmed their attendance. Foreign dignitaries, diplomatic envoys to China, presidents of Chinese and foreign universities, and well-known scholars at home and abroad are invited to attend the event, which will last until September 28, online and offline.