The Creative Production and Training Centre (CPTC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Sports, will today host a wake at its Arnold Road headquarters for the late Wycliffe Bennett, who served as chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of CPTC for several years.

Bennett passed away on Monday, October 5 after a long illness.

The tradition of holding a wake or nine-night event dates far back in Jamaica's history and involves a gathering of family, friends and well-wishers of the deceased. The event is usually kept the night before the funeral is held.

Today's wake will take place in the car park of the CPTC on Arnold Road starting at 7 p.m. It will feature traditional folk groups as well as more modern music led by Errol Lee.

Celebrations

"The wake will rekindle Mr Bennett's love for spectacle and drama using the traditional folk dances and celebrations executed by groups from across Jamaica," Angela Patterson, CEO of CPTC, disclosed.

Bennett's funeral will be held on Saturday at the Providence Methodist Church, Liguanea, beginning at 9 a.m. The body will be interred on the church grounds. Creative Television (CTV) will have exclusive live broadcast of the service for all of its cable affiliates.

In his memory, for all of this week, CTV, the cable television station operated by CPTC, has been broadcasting programmes produced by Bennett as part of its regular programming schedule.

Bennett's passing comes at a time when CPTC is celebrating its 25th year of existence. A quarter of a century of existence is a significant milestone and for the past seven months, the CPTC has been pulling out all the stops to commemorate its 25th year of existence.