Quzhou in East China's Zhejiang province hosted a special concert to mark the 2,570th birthday of Confucius on Sept 26 at the city's Confucius Mansion, according to local media reports.

Representatives from Confucius Institutes in more than 10 countries, including the United States, Germany, Japan and Armenia, as well as numerous local music lovers went to the concert.

The event was staged by 10 players from the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music and members of Confucius Mansion Troupe. Their performed Beautiful Jiangnan, Dunhuang and Ode to Joy depicted a poetic ancient-modern scene for the audience.

In addition to melodic music, the concert also featured a scene play Reading the Analects of Confucius at Night, helping the audience review the classic words uttered by Confucius while admiring beautiful scenery and music.

The books Great Confucius, Expansive China and Swift written by the eldest lineal grandson of the 75th generation of Confucius were performed by artists and left enduring impressions on the foreign guests.

Quzhou is home to Confucius's descendants. The Confucian Ancestral Temple for his descendants in the city is one of the only two Confucian temples in China and a key cultural heritage site under national protection.

Quzhou's Confucian Ancestral Temple was moved and rebuilt three times and repaired 10 times over the past 800 years. The reconstruction of the Confucius temple and mansion by the Quzhou government was completed in September 2005.

Confucius, also known as the sage Confucius, is one of the cultural symbols of China. Confucian culture is an important part of Chinese traditional culture and the "root and soul" of Quzhou.

Quzhou in East China's Zhejiang province hosts an important concert to mark the 2,570th birthday of Confucius. It is staged on Sept 26 at the city's Confucius Mansion. [Photo/qz96811.com]