The 10th Nishan Forum of World Civilizations was held on July 10-11 at Nishan or Mount Ni (尼山) in Qufu, Shandong Province, with the main theme of "Traditional Culture and Modern Civilization". Chinese and foreign guests gathered at the foot of the Nishan Mountain to carry out civilization exchanges and dialogues, strengthen international humanistic exchanges and cooperation.
This year's forum held for the first time a sports culture forum, the theme is "Chinese traditional culture and Olympic spirit". IOC President Bach said, "I am glad to learn that the theme of traditional Chinese culture and Olympic spirit has become an important part of the Nishan Forum. When the founder of the modern Olympic movement, Coubertin, revived the Olympic Games, he saw them as a way to build bridges and promote understanding among nations and peoples around the world. The Nishan Forum shares this goal, deepening understanding among the world's civilizations through respectful exchange and dialogue based on the transmission of Confucius' wisdom."
The beauty of Global harmony
The beauty of harmony lies in combining differences. Participants believe that the Nishan Forum of World Civilizations has become an important platform for practicing global civilization initiatives, promoting the common values of all mankind and building a community of human destiny, and an important window for the world to understand the Chinese nation, Chinese culture and contemporary China.
Keywords such as "dialogue", "pluralism", "communication" and "cooperation" frequently appeared in the speeches of the guests and scholars. in the speeches of the participating guests and scholars. The concepts of Chinese wisdom, such as "The Way of the Great Dao, the world is public", "Gentlemen are peaceful but different", "All things exist side by side without harming each other, and the Way runs in parallel without contradicting each other", etc., were also repeatedly quoted and mentioned by experts and scholars attending the conference. The concepts of Chinese wisdom, such as "all things are born together and do not harm each other", were also repeatedly quoted by the experts and scholars.
The Nishan Mountain in Qufu, where the forum was held, is the birthplace of Confucius. Chinese and foreign experts and scholars gathered in the hometown of Confucius to explore the contemporary value of Confucianism, and the light of the ancient wisdom continues to shine through time and space. Yasuo Fukuda, former Prime Minister of Japan and Chairman of the International Confederation of Confucianism (ICC), said at the opening ceremony that Confucianism upholds the concept of peace, is a philosophy that still survives in modern times, and is a universal philosophical thought.
Culture is a vehicle for deepening communication and understanding, and the Nishan Forum of World Civilizations has become a showcase of China's outstanding traditional culture. Here, the guests can watch the performance of "Golden Sound" and have a communication with Confucius across time and space; they can also visit the holy land of Nishan and feel the cultural inheritance and innovation of the "New Three Holes"; they can also stroll through the town of Luyuan and experience the combination of traditional culture and modern culture and tourism.
At the forum site, there is also a cultural experience area. Topography, face molding, shadow, handmade kites to the theme of non-legacy culture "Shandong handmade" cultural and creative exhibition area attracted many Chinese and foreign guests stopped to experience the "national tide" new fashion.
Mount Ni shines with a legacy that bridges ancient and modern civilizations, resonating across the seas. In the height of summer, the 10th Mount Ni World Civilization Forum took place in Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius. Concurrently, the "Shandong Cultural Icons Creative Products Exhibition" dazzled the world once more with a series of traditional handicrafts bearing the essence of Shandong's cultural innovation.
A Tapestry of Craftsmanship and Innovation
From Weifang kites and Qingdao's "Rabbit King" to Liu Bao gourd baskets and Caozhou dough sculptures, each piece showcased at the exhibition reflects a profound heritage intertwined with contemporary creativity. Zibo's cultural and creative products range from glassware and ceramics to kiln-fired pottery and straw weaving, each design captivating with its unique blend of innovation and tradition.
Exquisite Craftsmanship: Highlights from Zibo
Among the standout exhibits are the works of De Sheng Glass from Zibo, featuring "Ocean Glass Bottles" and "Starry Sky Glass Bottles." These pieces captivate with their delicate translucence and deep, vibrant hues, evoking dreamlike underwater worlds and expansive cosmic vistas. Meanwhile, pottery artistry shines through with pieces like the kiln-fired "Spring Lotus Teacup" from Yao Bian and the elegant "Lotus Wine Vessels," showcasing the limitless potential of ceramic arts.
Huantai's Natural Elegance: Huan Shi Grass Weaving
From Huantai, the Tian family's grass weaving artworks such as gourd baskets, grass vases, corn husk flowers, and zodiac-themed wheat straw decorations radiate a rustic charm that resonates with the warmth of rural life. These pieces not only exemplify traditional craftsmanship but also embody a cultural heritage cherished by the local community.
Rizhao's Contribution: Handcrafted Excellence
Rizhao's handcrafted contributions, including the verdant Rizhao Green Tea and the elegant Juxian Cultural Cup, alongside intangible cultural heritage paper-cut decorations and Juxian's traditional door notes, reflect the region's commitment to preserving and innovating upon its cultural treasures. Products like the Hekuang Black Pottery Set add a touch of modern sophistication to the traditional craftsmanship showcased against the backdrop of the elegant Nishan Academy and the grandeur of its architectural elements.
Heze's Peony Cultural Creativity
Heze's Peony cultural creativity extends beyond floral artistry to include culinary products like Peony-themed dishes and Caoxian Hanfu attire. Among them, Chen Fei Fashion boasts original Hanfu brands such as "Jin Chang Han Lin" and "Tong Luo Wan," featuring over 500 designs inspired by Tang and Song dynasty fashion, producing over 200,000 Hanfu annually, making it a leading enterprise in Cao County's Hanfu industry.
Lu Jin's Artistry
"Jing Yi Fang," a national-level intangible cultural heritage protection unit, showcases its products, including Lu Jin table flags, shoulder bags, scarves, and four-piece sets. The company has previously crafted ceremonial sachets for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Qingdao Summit, with its "Hand-woven Douwen" Lu Jin scarf becoming a best-selling product at major exhibitions. Rizhao's cultural tourism brand brings a variety of creative products such as peony porcelain, teacups, and brooches, with peony porcelain characterized by its monochrome kiln-firing, multi-color output, paper-thin texture, sonorous sound, and jade-like appearance, praised as the "everlasting peony flower."
Widespread Traditional Culture Beauty
Weifang kites, Jinan shadow puppets, Zibo pottery, Confucian seal museum, Cao County Hanfu...a stitch, a thread, a tile, a wood, all embodying the beauty of traditional culture. "Shandong Handmade" continues to make cultural charm visible, reshaping and elevating it.
