The Prime Minister said the Grand Stand will bear Slinger Francisco’s name. Hundreds lined Port of Spain streets.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced Friday that the Grand Stand at the Queen’s Park Savannah will be renamed in honour of Dr. Slinger Francisco, the Mighty Sparrow, as Trinidad and Tobago bid farewell to the calypso icon at a state-assisted funeral in Port of Spain.
She made the announcement in her tribute at the Celebration of Life at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), calling it a fitting honour for a man who spent most of his life pioneering calypso and soca. She recalled listening to his music as a child in her mother’s roti shop. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley also paid tribute, and Persad-Bissessar said she would work with her Caribbean counterparts on a suggestion from Mottley, CNC3 reported.
The day began with a procession at 10 a.m. from Independence Square along Frederick Street to NAPA, in three stages: a national farewell, a people’s and cultural farewell and a ceremonial farewell. Hundreds turned out to see the casket, the Express reported. It was followed by two white limousines, a depiction of a “Saga Boy” figure, a music truck and a Massy All Stars pan side. Crowds sang along to his songs, some schools in Port of Spain closed and police and protective services were stationed along the route.
A tribute programme at NAPA from 1:30 p.m. featured 14 performers, including Machel Montano, Destra Garcia, Superblue, Crazy and Shurwayne Winchester, along with steel orchestras, Moko Jumbies and masquerade groups. The Government organised the funeral with the Francisco family, and the public viewed Sparrow lying in repose at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts on Oct. 13 and at NAPA on Oct. 14. He died in New York on Sept. 27 at age 91.
This report is based on information from CNC3, the Trinidad Express, CMC and Soca News.