The late Mighty Sparrow will be honoured with a national Celebration of Life on October 16, with members of the public getting two opportunities to pay their respects ahead of the ceremony.
The Ministry of Culture and Community Development announced on Friday that public viewing of the calypso legend will take place from 10 am to 6 pm on October 13 and 14 at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA) and the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), respectively.
The Government is collaborating with the Francisco family to organise the State-Assisted Funeral and Celebration of Life for the late Slinger Francisco, better known as Mighty Sparrow, who was widely regarded as the Calypso King of the World.
The ministry said the tribute would recognise 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.
Sparrow was repatriated from New York to Trinidad and Tobago on October 6. His son, Cyril Sancho Francisco, accompanied by Culture and Community Development Minister Michelle Benjamin and ministry officials, received him at Piarco International Airport.
The ministry is asking members of the public not to take photographs or record videos during the public viewings, in keeping with a request from the Francisco family.
The October 16 programme will begin with a procession at 10 am from Independence Square in Port of Spain, moving along Frederick Street before concluding at NAPA.
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.
Meanwhile, members of the public can continue to sign the condolence book, “One Last Note…for the King of Calypso”, until October 15.
The book is available from 10 am to 4 pm at the Ministry of Culture and Community Development’s offices at the International Waterfront Complex, NAPA until October 14, SAPA, the Shaw Park Complex in Tobago, all 14 municipal corporation head offices and Trinidad and Tobago’s missions in New York, Miami, London, Washington and Toronto.
A virtual condolence book is also available through the ministry’s website, mccd.gov.tt.
The ministry said Benjamin had continued to meet with the Francisco family and the coordinating team to finalise 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.
The Government said it remained committed to ensuring that Sparrow, one of the country’s most celebrated cultural icons, received a dignified national farewell.
