Promoting Confucian culture, Taipei Confucius Temple adds hundreds of traditional ritual ceremonies

By Li Xinyi, compiled and reported

To promote distinctive cultural performances and experiences at Taipei Confucius Temple, from today (the 2nd) until December 27th, the “Dancing Confucian Spirit” event is held every Tuesday to Sunday morning at 9 AM local time. The event includes ceremonial performances of refined court music dances adapted from the Yi Dance, and offers a free “Gentleman’s Tea Ceremony” experience. The public can make online reservations or sign up on-site, with a limit of 50 participants per session.

From October of 2010 to the end of October 2011, Taipei Confucius Temple launched 600 sessions of “Traditional Ritual Ceremonies and Confucian-style Performance Experiences,” achieving a satisfaction rate of 98% among international participants. As a result, the Tourism and Communications Bureau has added another 100 sessions from November 1st to December 27th. The activities include multilingual (Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean) guides to touring the Confucius Temple, prayer cards in the shape of guqin (ancient Chinese zither), as well as performances of refined court music dance rituals. The freely accessible “Gentleman’s Tea Ceremony” is demonstrated and taught by tea ceremony instructors. It is available every Tuesday to Friday from 3 PM to 3:30 PM, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 AM to 10:30 AM at the Dacheng Hall for on-site participation.

The Tourism and Communications Bureau stated that since launching the Historical Urban Area Cultural Tourism Revitalization Plan for Confucius Temple, it has attracted 300,000 visitors to the area. Notably, the 9 AM performance of the “Traditional Ritual Ceremony – Elegant Music Dance of Ancient Rites,” along with themed Confucian-style experience activities such as the “Gratitude and Teacher Appreciation Ceremony • Gentleman’s Tea Ceremony” and “High School Achievement Ceremony • Path of Blessing,” have seen single-session records of participation by friends from up to 10 different countries.

Registration website: www.tct2560.com