By KHT Staff. Images via Pingtung County Govt.
PINGTUNG — More than 100 local students joined international exchange students at Pingtung Academy (屏東書院) Thursday morning for a traditional ceremony commemorating the 2,576th anniversary of the birth of Confucius.
Pingtung County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi (周春米) led representatives from education, religious and civic organizations through the three-offering ceremony, a formal sequence of rituals used to honor Confucius.
Students and teachers from five schools served as ceremonial attendants, musicians and dancers. Participating schools included Jhongjheng Junior High School (中正國中), Datong Senior High School (大同高中), Jiouru Junior High School (九如國中), Hesheng Junior High School (鶴聲國中) and Jhihjheng Junior High School (至正國中).
All participants wore ceremonial clothing and followed traditional procedures. Musicians performed outside the main hall while students presented the six-row yi dance, traditionally used in ceremonies honoring Confucius.
Several dozen Rotary exchange students also attended, including young people from the United States, Germany, Austria and Brazil.
Pedro, a Brazilian exchange student who served as a ceremonial attendant, said the event gave him an opportunity to experience a culture that was new to him and learn about Taiwan’s emphasis on respecting teachers and education.
Chou said the students had rehearsed several times before arriving early Thursday to prepare for the ceremony. She said involving young people and overseas students helps pass traditional practices to another generation while introducing them to international visitors.
Following the ceremony, the county distributed “wisdom cakes” and specially designed notepads to students and members of the public. The cakes are traditionally associated with wishes for academic progress and success in examinations.
The county’s Civil Affairs Department (民政處) said Pingtung Academy also hosts cultural activities throughout the year as part of efforts to keep the historic site in active public use.
