Two Birthdays

Well, a wild time ensued last night. I went to a birthday party. Confucius was celebrating his 2558th.

Known in China as Kong Zi, (Master Kong), his real name was Kong Qiu. Unfortunately he didn't turn up last night, so I had to drink his share of the celebratory wet stuff.

The locals have been marking the occasion, too. This has consisted of school kids reading bits from his selected works. This makes a change from not so long ago. Kongzi and his teachings were outlawed during the cultural revolution and at best derision was heaped upon his followers. Some were killed. (Paradoxically, Chairman Mao learned a lot from him, particularly about paternalistic rulers.

Today, most people ignore Kongzi, although they live in a society still heavily influenced by him.

Fortunately, I have a week to recover from the excesses of his memorial party. Monday is China's National Day (to celebrate Mao's declaration of the People's Republic on October 1st 1949). China's birthday - a mere 58 years old. A strippling in comparison.

As the master kindly advises us, "Never give a sword to a man who can't dance." Whatever that is supposed to mean!

 (Actually, it should be three birthdays. Mrs Laowai has one on the 2nd. She fancies herself as a bit of a philosopher, too. At least, I think it was philosophical advice she was offering me when I staggered home last night / this morning. Sounded impressive.) 

tags: china  liuzhou  confucius  kongzi  national day  mao  1949  

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