Public viewing of cultural icon’s body starts on Tuesday, with major Carnival-like celebration and funeral procession planned for Friday
The late Slinger “Mighty Sparrow” Francisco will be honored with a national Celebration of Life on October 16, with the public invited to pay their respects during two days of viewing ahead of the ceremony. The Ministry of Culture and Community Development announced yesterday that public viewing of the calypso legend will take place from 10 am to 6 pm on October 13 at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA), San Fernando and on October 14 at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Port-of-Spain.
The Government, in collaboration with the Francisco family, is organizing the state-assisted funeral and Celebration of Life for Francisco, known worldwide as Mighty Sparrow and widely regarded as the Calypso King of the World. According to the ministry, the tribute will honor Sparrow’s immense contribution to Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural heritage, Caribbean music and the generations of people influenced by his work at home and abroad. Sparrow’s body was repatriated from New York on October 6. He was received at the Piarco International Airport by his son, Cyril Sancho Francisco, accompanied by Minister of Culture and Community Development Michelle Benjamin and ministry officials.
The ministry has asked members of the public to refrain from taking photographs or recording videos during the public viewings, in keeping with a request from the Francisco family. The October 16 programme will begin at 10 am with a procession from Independence Square in Port-of-Spain, proceeding along Frederick Street before culminating at NAPA. The procession will comprise three segments: 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, school representatives and stakeholders from the Carnival and cultural sectors are expected to participate. Selections from Sparrow’s extensive musical catalogue will be played throughout the procession.