To commemorate the 2575th anniversary of Confucius’s birth, Hunan University’s Yuelu Academy held a Confucius Worship Ceremony on September 28. This ceremony, hosted by the historically rich Yuelu Academy, invited student representatives from the University of Macau’s Cheng Yu Tung College and members of the Chinese Higher Education College Community, including Peking University, Wuhan University, Nanjing University, and Southeast University. The Dean of Yuelu Academy, Xiao Yongming, served as the chief officiant, leading all participants in the traditional Chinese worship rituals to honor Confucius and other ancient sages.
During the event, Wong Seng Fat, Interim Master of Cheng Yu Tung College, was invited to serve as the officiant, with Associate Master Gong Yingxue acting as the host. Eight students from Cheng Yu Tung College also participated in the ceremony. Following the worship, all faculty and students engaged in recitations of classic texts, collectively reading selections from Confucian classics as well as the “Regulations of Yuelu Academy.” At the conclusion, Wong Seng Fat presented calligraphy and painting as commemorative item to Yuelu Academy on behalf of Cheng Yu Tung College to strengthen the friendship.
Wong Seng Fat and Xiao Yongming further discussed the future long-term cooperation between the two colleges and reached a consensus. They expressed hope to annually send student teams for unique cultural exchanges, aiming to promote long-term collaboration between the two colleges, deepen cultural exchanges, and foster mutual development.
Under the arrangement of Yuelu Academy, the students and faculty from the University of Macau also participated in various activities, including an academic salon hosted by Associate Professor Li Wei on the topic of “Academy Culture in the Tang and Song Dynasties,” where participants explored the origins, development, and functions of ancient Chinese academies. Additionally, the group visited the Chinese Academy Museum, Hunan Provincial Museum, and Changsha Museum, gaining a more comprehensive understanding of Hunan’s historical and cultural background, particularly regarding the development of ancient academies and their significant roles in education.
Through the Confucius Worship Ceremony and cultural explorations, the University of Macau students experienced the charm of traditional culture and the profound depth of Chinese culture. During the ceremony, they not only learned about the traditional rituals but also felt the impact of Confucian thought on modern society, further understanding the importance of respect and gratitude.
This exchange not only strengthened the friendship between Cheng Yu Tung College and Yuelu Academy but also laid a solid foundation for future cooperation. Both sides look forward to developing more diverse exchange activities in the future, promoting academic collaboration and cultural mutual learning, allowing students from both institutions to grow together through shared experiences and contribute to the inheritance and development of Chinese culture.
