Quzhou city stages a grand ceremony to celebrate the 2,576th anniversary of the birth of Confucius. [Photo/Tide News]

A grand ceremony, commemorating the 2,576th anniversary of the birth of Confucius, was held on Sept 28 at the Family Temple of Confucius and the Confucianism Culture Park in Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province.

Confucius (551–479 BC), the great Chinese educator, philosopher, and thinker, lived during China's Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC). He is known as the first person in the country to set up private schools.

The Family Temple of Confucius in Quzhou is one of only two family temples of Confucius that hold grand commemoration ceremonies for Confucius in China. The other one is in Qufu, East China's Shandong province, where Confucius was born.

Dubbed the "Home of Southern Confucianism", Quzhou is the second-biggest center for the descendants of Confucius.

Trumpets sound as the ceremony is held. [Photo/Tide News]

When Kaifeng in Central China's Henan province — capital of the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127) — was conquered by the military of the Jin Dynasty (1115–1234), Emperor Gaozong retreated to the south.

Kong Duanyou (1078–1132), the eldest member of Confucius' descendants in the 48th generation, also moved to the south and settled in Quzhou, giving rise to the southern branch of the family.

Since 2004, Quzhou has hosted annual commemoration ceremonies for Confucius featuring a contemporary approach. Participants wear modern attire and follow contemporary protocols in Quzhou's commemoration ceremonies.

In 2011, Quzhou's commemoration ceremony was included in the national intangible cultural heritage list.