State Memorial for Right Honorable Sir Manuel Esquivel on Tuesday and Wednesday
Sir Manuel Esquivel
The official details on the state memorial for the late Right Honorable Doctor Sir Manuel Esquivel have been released. And, the two day celebration of his life begins on Tuesday, at one p.m. when his remains will lie in state at the House of Culture in Belize City. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.
A two-day state memorial has been accorded to former two-time Prime Minister Doctor Sir Manuel Esquivel. It’s the highest honor given by the Government of Belize to former and sitting governor generals, prime ministers and sitting members of the House of Representatives.
Tasha Cain
Tasha Cain, Head of Protocol & Consular Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
“With a state funeral, it is very specific to former heads of government and heads of state or suiting.”
Duane Moody
Duane Moody (stand up)
Following a cortege which will commence from the family home on Daly Street in Belize City on Tuesday, the remains of Esquivel will lie in state inside the state room here at the House of Culture in Belize City. The ceremony will begin at two p.m., when government officials will pay respect to Esquivel.
Tasha Cain
“We’ve invited a few government officials. The Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Mayor of Belize City, Cabinet members, members of the House of Representatives and Senate to participate in the lying in state which is a feature of a state event such as this. It’s not a state funeral; that has been explained – it is a memorial. It doesn’t have any of the trappings of a usual funeral, but for an event that is a state funeral or a state event, this is a key feature. It will have a guard protecting it and floral arrangements and persons will come in to pay their respects as well as sign a condolence book that will be given to the family.”
Then on Wednesday, the state memorial takes place. As the cortege (also known as procession) makes its way to the House of Culture once again, the tolling of church bells will be done along the route.
Tasha Cain
“Because of the COVID situation we have not been able to open these events to the public. Persons of course, could line the streets; we are not necessarily encouraging crowds to come out. But we have seen in past events that persons still come and want to pay their respects. The route that will have the cortege is from Daly Street onto Queen Street across the Swing Bridge (counter to traffic of course); down Regent Street. So on Tuesday for the lying in state, it will be a motorcade, but on Wednesday, we’ll have more of the official portion where an officer in the B.D.F. will be carrying the remains in an urn the entire duration of the route that has been outlined.”
There will be an official military order of events which will include the march on guard of honor, followed by the national anthem and the twenty-one gun salute. There will be a moment of silence before the reveille. Government officials including Prime Minister John Briceño, Governor General Froyla T’zalam, Leader of the Opposition Shyne Barrow and another parliamentarian will lay wreaths followed by the presentation of the Belize flag, departure of officials and the march of by the Belize Defense Force. Duane Moody for News Five.
