By FRANCIS JOSEPH
The funeral for the late Mighty Sparrow will take place on October 16.
But on October 13 and 14, members of the public will be allowed to pay their respects to Sparrow at SAPA in San Fernando, and at NAPA, respectively.
The Ministry of Culture and Community Development made the announcement on Friday.
Sparrow, known as Slinger Francisco, died in New York on September 27. A memorial service was held last Sunday in Queens. His body was brought to Trinidad last Tuesday.
Government is collaborating with the Francisco family to organize the State-Assisted Funeral and Celebration of Life for Sparrow.
The Ministry said the tribute would recognize Sparrow’s contribution to Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural heritage and Caribbean music, as well as his international influence and the generations touched by his work.
The October 16 programme will begin with a procession at 10 am from Independence Square in Port of Spain, moving north along Frederick Street before concluding at NAPA. Well, expect crowds of people to line Frederick Street all the way to NAPA for this procession.
The procession will feature three stages- a National Farewell at Independence Square, a People’s and Cultural Farewell along Frederick Street, and a Ceremonial Farewell at NAPA.
Members of the public, national schools and representatives of the Carnival and cultural industries are expected to participate. Selected recordings from Sparrow’s extensive musical catalogue will also form part of the procession.
A tribute programme will follow at NAPA from 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm, featuring steel orchestras, Moko Jumbies, traditional masquerade, cultural performers and other tribute installations.
The Ministry said arrangements were also being made for members of the public to view the Celebration of Life at the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah, with further details to be announced.
Minister of Culture and Community Development, Michelle Benjamin, met with the Francisco family and the coordinating team to finalize arrangements for the event, including ceremonial requirements, public participation, transportation, communications and security.
Planning meetings were held at NAPA on October 2, 7 and 8, with a further security meeting taking place on Friday involving representatives of the relevant security agencies and government officials.
Government said it remained committed to ensuring that Sparrow, one of the country’s most celebrated cultural icons, received a dignified national farewell.
Sparrow won the Calypso Monarch title eight times, the Road March eight times, and the Calypso King of the World crown on two occasions.
