TRINIDAD- Mighty Sparrow to receive national farewell on October 16.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Mighty Sparrow, the legendary calypsonian whose music helped take the art form to audiences around the world, will receive a national farewell in Trinidad and Tobago on October 16.

The Government has announced it is organizing a state-assisted funeral and celebration of life, in collaboration with Sparrow’s family, to honor his life, musical legacy, and contribution to Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural heritage and Caribbean music.

Sparrow, whose given name was Slinger Francisco, was repatriated from New York to Trinidad and Tobago on October 6. His son, Cyril Sancho Francisco, accompanied by Culture Minister Michelle Benjamin and ministry officials, received him at Piarco International Airport.

The public will have two opportunities to pay their respects before the ceremony, with Sparrow lying in repose at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA) on October 13 and the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) on October 14.

The viewing at both venues will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to the Ministry of Culture and Community Development.

The October 16 farewell will begin with a procession from Independence Square at 10 a.m., moving along Frederick Street in Port of Spain before concluding at NAPA, where a tribute program is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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.

National schools and representatives of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival and cultural industries are expected to participate. Recordings from Sparrow’s extensive musical catalog will also form part of the procession.

The tribute program will include steel orchestras, Moko Jumbies, traditional masquerade and other cultural performances. Arrangements are also being made for members of the public to watch the celebration at the Grand Stand at the Queen’s Park Savannah, with further details to be announced.

The family has asked members of the public not to take photographs or record videos during the October 13 and 14 viewings.

Meanwhile, condolence books remain available for members of the public to sign until October 15, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., at the Ministry of Culture and Community Development, NAPA, SAPA, Shaw Park Complex in Tobago, all 14 municipal corporation head offices in Trinidad, 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.