The 2004 China Qufu International Confucius Cultural Festival opened in Qufu City in east China's Shandong Province on Sunday evening.

A grand ceremony will be held to honor Confucius. A series of academic and commercial programs will also be included.

Confucius was a great ancient Chinese educator and philosopher born in Qufu. This year is the 2555th anniversary of his birth.

The local government has been developing its cultural industries with the rich resources of Confucianism.