Ministry Rejects Claims That Parliamentary Calendar Influenced Sparrow’s Funeral Date

The Ministry of Culture and Community Development notes the comments of the Leader of the Opposition, the Honourable Penelope Beckles, MP, in the Trinidad Guardian of 10 October 2026 concerning the date of the State-Assisted Funeral and Celebration of Life for the late Honourable Slinger Francisco, ORTT, CM, HBM, OCC, OBE, ‘The Mighty Sparrow’, Calypso King of the World.

As stated on 9 October 2026, the Ministry and the Francisco Family selected 16 October 2026 to accommodate relatives and invited guests travelling from across the Caribbean and beyond, including heads of government, ministers of culture and international cultural practitioners.

The family’s needs and travel arrangements determined the date. Neither the parliamentary calendar nor the business of any Member of the House, on either side, influenced that decision.