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The Government spent $1.3 million on funeral arrangements and the official farewell for Dr Slinger Francisco, better known as the Mighty Sparrow, Culture and Community Development Minister Michelle Benjamin told the House of Representatives. Benjamin said the expenditure covered arrangements for the calypsonian’s farewell on October 16, according to the Trinidad Guardian. Her disclosure put a total figure on the Government’s involvement, although she did not provide a separate breakdown of the cost of bringing his body back to Trinidad and Tobago. The minister said two priorities guided the arrangements: preparing the country to receive Sparrow’s body and organising a farewell worthy of his contribution. She said the Government, under Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, had been instructed from the outset to respect the wishes of his family. The expenditure included the funeral procession from Independence Square in Port of Spain to the National Academy for the Performing Arts. Benjamin also confirmed that the Government assisted with repatriating Sparrow’s body. In describing the public farewell, Benjamin highlighted the schoolchildren who lined the procession route to pay their respects. She thanked the calypsonians, volunteers, marshals and others who helped organise the event. The spending disclosure follows the Government’s announcement that the Grand Stand at the Queen’s Park Savannah would be renamed in Sparrow’s honour. The Guardian reported that the tribute recognises his contribution to calypso and Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural identity.
The Government spent $1.3 million on funeral arrangements and the official farewell for Dr Slinger Francisco, better known as the Mighty Sparrow, Culture and Community Development Minister Michelle Benjamin told the House of Representatives. Benjamin said the expenditure covered arrangements for the calypsonian’s farewell on October 16, according to the Trinidad Guardian. Her disclosure put a total figure on the Government’s involvement, although she did not provide a separate breakdown of the cost of bringing his body back to Trinidad and Tobago. The minister said two priorities guided the arrangements: preparing the country to receive Sparrow’s body and organising a farewell worthy of his contribution. She said the Government, under Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, had been instructed from the outset to respect the wishes of his family. The expenditure included the funeral procession from Independence Square in Port of Spain to the National Academy for the Performing Arts. Benjamin also confirmed that the Government assisted with repatriating Sparrow’s body. In describing the public farewell, Benjamin highlighted the schoolchildren who lined the procession route to pay their respects. She thanked the calypsonians, volunteers, marshals and others who helped organise the event. The spending disclosure follows the Government’s announcement that the Grand Stand at the Queen’s Park Savannah would be renamed in Sparrow’s honour. The Guardian reported that the tribute recognises his contribution to calypso and Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural identity.
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