Performers:
Ensemble DialogosArtistic Director Katarina Livljanić (voice)
Albrecht Maurer (fiddle, rebec)
Norbert Rodenkirchen (flutes, harp)
Video: Yoshi Oida (director), Tom Schenk (video)
“Barlaam and Josaphat”
A christianized version of the life of Buddha
One of the most popular medieval legends, the incredible story of Josaphat and his master Barlaam, originating from 3rd-4th c. India was translated into Greek and then Latin in the 11th century, before becoming extremely popular and widespread in Europe. The popularity of this story was so intense that Josaphat and Barlaam were actually canonised by the Christian church, even if there is no evidence for their existence. Their cult survived well into the 20th century, when their feast was finally removed from the calendar.