Grant's Modern Odyssey: Malta to Troy Adventure

Richard E Grant is starring in a new four-part travelogue, "Very Modern Odyssey," inspired by the epic journey of Homer's Odysseus. The series begins in Malta's Grand Harbour, with Grant exploring the capital, Valletta. Despite not being on Odysseus's original route, Valletta offers the actor a taste of luxury and historical marvels.

Grant expresses profound admiration for St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, describing its baroque interior as surpassing the Sistine Chapel in grandeur. He notes the church's history as a place for knights to seek divine aid before embarking on dangerous endeavors, drawing a parallel to Homeric heroes making sacrifices.

The actor also visits the Maltese island of Gozo, where a cave may have inspired the nymph Calypso's home. He finds himself deeply moved by the details of his journey. The series concludes with a visit to the ancient ruins of Troy, the site of a historical war.

A local historian highlights the continued relevance of Homer's "The Odyssey," citing parallels to modern issues like refugees, climate change, and political crises. Grant reflects on Homer's successful blend of fact and fiction, a narrative that has endured for over two and a half millennia.