Nishan Forum celebrates cultural exchanges, shared progress

The 10th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations, a two-day event held in Qufu, Shandong province, came to a close on July 11 amidst a lively atmosphere.

The forum brought together nearly 400 international guests from 63 countries, aiming to draw wisdom from traditional culture to better address global challenges and advance human civilization.

The 10th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations brings together nearly 400 international guests from 63 countries. [Photo/VCG]

With the theme "Traditional Cultures and Modern Civilizations", the forum featured six sub-topics, two keynote speech sessions, one top dialogue, 12 sub-topic dialogues, and seven parallel forums.

On July 11, scholars from China and Italy convened in Qufu for the Dialogue on Chinese and Italian Classical Civilizations. The event underscored the enduring value of classical civilizations as repositories of wisdom and inspiration for addressing contemporary challenges. Massimo Ambrosetti, ambassador of Italy to China, emphasized the unique contributions of both Roman and Chinese civilizations in the realms of aesthetics, culture, and philosophy. He noted that the two civilizations serve not only as local exemplars but also represent universal values.

A music and dance performance known as Jinsheng Yuzhen takes place on the evening of July 10 at the Nishan Sacred Land Scenic Area. Combining classical Chinese art forms such as poetry, music, and dance with technological methods, the performance promoted a refined lifestyle and celebrated Chinese traditional culture. [Photo/VCG]

During the forum, Vincent Meriton, former vice-president of Seychelles and chairman of the Seychelles-China Friendship Association, shared his insights: "The forum presents a unique opportunity to reflect on our cultural heritage and its role in shaping our present and our future."

Attendees at the forum listen attentively to a presentation. [Photo/VCG]

Younggap Choi, chair of the Confucian and Taoist Association of Sungkyunkwan University, also shared his views during the forum: "The Confucian notion of love starts with humanity and expands to encompass all things in the world. When harmony is achieved among everything in the universe, utter beauty is created."

The Nishan Forum provides a platform for experts and scholars to share insights. [Photo/VCG]

Since its inception in 2010, the Nishan forum has been promoting dialogues between different civilizations around the world. It has become an increasingly important platform for strengthening the preservation and development of Chinese traditional culture, for advocating common human values, and for promoting international cultural exchanges and cooperation.