Information Office of the People's Government of Shandong Province Invites International Media Columnists to Experience Confucian Culture in Shandong

ZIBO, China and JINING, China, Sept. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 7-9, the columnists with the "International Media Columnists Journey to Shandong" invited by Information Office of the People's Government of Shandong Province visited Zibo and Jining.

Zibo, a prefecture-level city in central Shandong Province, is known for its ceramics industry. Its celadon porcelain dinnerware dazzled the guests at the welcoming dinner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Qingdao Summit held in June 2018.

According to Su Tongqiang, chairman of Shandong Zibo Huaguang Ceramics Limited, a total of 30,116 celadon porcelain dinnerware sets were tailor-made for the Qingdao Summit. The technology was independently developed by Huaguang with national invention patents. He Yan, a Master of Chinese Ceramic Art, took part in the design of the items, which embody the maritime culture of Shandong. 

British columnist Christopher Georgiou was quite interested in a display of ceramic art work. He carefully examined a light blue vase with tiny hidden cracks. The manager explained to him that the porcelain is known as "Blue Caviar Glaze", developed and produced by Shandong Guiyuan Advanced Ceramic Co., Ltd. (Sicer). It is a unique glaze art porcelain in the world. The pattern of blue caviar is the result of kiln transmutation.

Except for ceramics, Zibo is also famous for its glazed glass, considered as one of the birthplaces of glazed glass in the world. At Shandong Lingshang Glass Culture Creative Co., Ltd., the columnists had a chance to see how the fine glazed glass works are made.

In front of the blazing fire in the kilns, the columnists took pictures of the glazed glass art masters at work and marveled at their skills. Some of them personally experienced inner painting of glazed glass -- an intangible cultural heritage item.

In Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, the columnists followed the steps of the prestigious philosopher, educator and founder of Confucianism. They explored the Temple of Confucius, the Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion, intoxicated with Confucian culture. Greek journalist Vasilis Trigkas opined that although Confucius lived more than 2,000 years ago, his thoughts and culture continue to influence China and the world today. Confucius had directed his disciples to constantly think about human nature and human society. The Analects of Confucius recorded the words and deeds of Confucius, as well as some dialogues between Confucius and his disciples. It is a collection of Confucius' views on life, including his views on how to balance individual interests and collective interests, in order to achieve the harmony of the whole society.

At the Confucian Academy (a Confucian temple at Mount Ni, the legendary birthplace of Confucius), the columnists were dressed in the Han Dynasty-style robes and learned to write with Chinese brushes and experienced a set-meal ritual dating from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD).

"Confucius emphasized in his teachings the importance of rituals, including table manners," said Trigkas. "Although the food served here is not extravagant, I think it's perfect, just as Confucius had taught. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to feel the essence of Confucian culture at the events today."

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