Trip of Confucian Culture and China-Europe Cultural Forum

The current world situation is complicated and changeable with a trend of diversity both politically and culturally. To carry out dialogues and exchanges between different civilizations can enhance mutual understanding and friendship between peoples of different countries at the higher level to find common ground while reserving differences， learn from each other and promote peaceful development and common progress of humankind.

A series of activities of the “Trip of Confucian Culture” and the China-Europe Cultural Forum jointly sponsored by the CPAFFC， the Confucius Institute of Athens， Greece， the FREI S.A. Travel-Congress， the Confucius Institute at the University of Rome and the Switzerland-China Cultural Exchange Society was held in Athens， Rome and Zurich from October 10 to 20， 2011. A CPAFFC cultural delegation took part and carried out substantial exchanges and interactions.

China-Europe Cultural Forum

On October 18， the China-Europe Cultural Forum with the theme of “Dissemination of the Thought of Confucius and Socrates and its Practical Significance” was held in Athens. Over 100 representatives from the cultural， educational and press circles of China， Greece， Italy and the UK attended the warm and extensive discussions on the thinking of Confucius and Socrates， particularly on the ideas of “humaneness， virtue， integrity， justice， harmony between man and nature”. Against a backdrop of times characterized by economic globalization， constant local wars， deterioration of the natural environment due to man-made destruction， spread of a financial crisis and lack of morality and justice， it was considered all the more necessary to learn from， carry forward and spread the thoughts of ancient philosophers to lead the world onto the right track of peaceful and positive development.

The participants unanimously agreed Chinese and Greek civilizations represented the ancient wisdom of East and West， making great contributions to world civilization. Without ancient Greek culture and the foundation laid by the Roman Empire， there would have been no modern Europe. Likewise， without ancient Chinese civilization， there would have been no modern Asia. Great thinkers including Socrates， Plato and Aristotle of Greece and Laozi， Confucius and Zhuangzi of China jointly guided world civilization out of its benighted state and towards progress. Some 2，500 years or more in the past， the ancient Silk Road linking Rome and Chang’an promoted dialogue between European and Asian civilizations.

The forum happened to convene at a critical moment in the European debt crisis. In Italy， Greece and other EU countries， strikes were staged one after another， social conflicts became intensified and the people were filled with apprehension. The governments and people of these countries were looking for ideal ways to resolve the crisis. At this moment， it also needed us to remain sober， review history， especially that of civilization and seek enlightenment and answers from the legacy of ancient philosophers. This was the important practical significance of the forum.

Exhibition on Confucian Culture

The Exhibition on Confucian Culture consisting of more than 50 excellent pictures was held separately at the Confucius Institute in Rome and the Exhibition Hall of the Athens Imperial Hotel. Through pictorial means and written explanations， it displayed the life story of Confucius and the founding and development of Confucianism， giving European visitors a closer and more comprehensive knowledge about the life and thought of the Chinese sage.

Exhibition of Chinese Folk Arts

Another activity， the Exhibition of Chinese Folk Arts， was held in a Cultural Center in Zurich， Switzerland. The exhibition showcased 60 pieces of figures of shadow play of Hua County， Shaanxi Province， New Year pictures of Weifang， Shandong Province and different kinds of paper-cuts. The Swiss visitors learned about China’s rural life and rural culture through rural grass-root art and listening to the explanation by experts on Chinese folk customs.