Josef Nadj’s latest performance was inspired by the principal work of Zen master Dogen from the 13th century. It is about the harmonization of the time of all beings, about the desire for True Harmony and about the challenge of truth within the moment that compresses time, using analogous instruments of improvisation.

Shobogenzo, the holy book of Japanese Buddhism, was compiled by Dogen Zenji, the founder of Soto Zen, between 1231 and 1253. In the second half of the 20th century, this writing evoked interest not only among those who studied Buddhism in Japan, but also among scientific researchers. The book is not only the essence of Zen Buddhism, but represents eastern philosophy and culture as well, be it Indian, Chinese or Japanese. Beyond Orientalism and religion, this book even shows mankind how to find inner freedom, happiness, universal peace and eternal truth.

The word ’shobogenzo’, according to the meaning of its parts, means the treasury where the highest, the widest, the deepest truth: the essence of dharma, the consciousness of Buddha is kept. Shobogenzo stands for the universe as a whole, it means not only what is right but everything that exists in the universe.

Dancer, choreographer, mime artist and director Josef Nadj was born is Voivodina, went to an applied art school in Novi Sad, then moved to study art history in Budapest, where he also started to take mime lessons. He moved to Paris in 1980, where he trained with Marcel Marceau and Étienne Decroux. He discovered butoh, contact improvisation and acrobatics, and worked with the most prominent figures of contemporary dance. From 1984 on, he often led contact improvisation trainings in Budapest, which deeply influenced the rebirth of modern dance in Hungary. In 1986 he founded his international Theatre JEL in Paris. Having created several award-winning performances in the past two decades, he has become an internationally renowned choreographer. He was appointed director of the Orleans National Choreographic Centre in 1995. In 2006 he was the artistic director of the Avignon Festival, and in the same year, he received the European Theatre Prize.
In Szeged, he last performed in 1998 in the Old Synagogue.

performed by: Josef Nadj, Cecile Loyer
music: Joelle Leandre (contrabass, vocals), Ákos Szelevényi (reeds, percussion)
video: Attila Iván
costume: Aleksandra Pešić
props made by: Alexandre de Monte
props: Gyula Francia
light: László Dobó
sound: Daniel Davčik
assistant director: Péter Gemza
costume, stage design, and directed by: Josef Nadj

In co-operation with: Jugokoncert (Serbia), Pécs 2010 – Európa Kulturális Fővárosa, Kanizsai Kör Művészeti Műhely, Centre Chorégraphique National d’Orléans

Supporters: Szerbiai Köztársaság Művelődési Minisztériuma, Belgrád Város Önkormányzata, Vajdasági Tartományi Oktatási és Kulturális Titkárság, Magyarkanizsa Önkormányzata, Nemzeti Kulturális Alap, Szülőföld Alap, Pécsi Balett, Harmadik Színház (Pécs), MASZK Egyesület

www.josefnadj.com