Meeting Confucius in modern times

"It is as though a descendant of Jesus Christ has just walked out on stage", a colleague of mine whispered loudly and all too irreverently in my ear.

He - someone of the Catholic persuasion, incidentally - was referring to choreographer and chief director Kong Dexin making an appearance at the finale of a performance of Confucius by the China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater.

She is a 77th generation descendant of the ancient philosopher who still informs many of the values of Chinese people.