29 Sep 2021
The only way to visit and understand Knossos is to have Joanna Kalypso Glyptis as your guide. “Kalypso” in ancient Greek means “she that conceals”; a complete misnomer - Joanna herself is quite the opposite. She is the best historical guide we have ever used, anywhere. She is equipped with an extraordinary depth and breadth of knowledge of Middle East, Egyptian and Mediterranean culture, language and history. She draws a powerful picture of the emergence and decline of Minoan culture and the impact of the bull on mankind’s shift from hunter gatherer to agrarian domesticity. Joanna connected the dots for us across Iranian, Egyptian, Phoenician and Indo-European tribes and migration, and gave Knossos context.
She challenges old dogma and myths and brings fresh insights into the role of women, and new interpretations of the roles of gods, witches and divines which interweave and embellish all religions. Her historical portrayal of Sir Arthur Evans and his unearthing of Knossos is revelatory. Joanna vividly emphasises the power of language and communication to cause major cultural shifts. Her own linguistic and intellectual prowess made our brains fizz.