April 20, 2024 – Thanks to everyone who made this event unforgettable

The date April 20, 2024, will remain engraved in our hearts as a day of pure magic, an epic celebration of the 25 years of dedication and love that Amici di Adwa has poured into the community of Adwa and beyond. During the evening, we had the honor and privilege of welcoming an unprecedented influx of people, a wave of human warmth that embraced our cause with overwhelming passion.

The event, titled “25 years of love: building a future in Adwa”, was a spectacle of emotions, a journey through touching testimonies and inspirations that fueled our path. It is impossible not to express our infinite gratitude to all those who contributed to making the evening an indelible memory in the pages of our history.

Their words, full of meaning and commitment, resonated in the air like an anthem to solidarity and hope. Sister Laura Girotto (founder of the mission and Kidane Mehret hospital), Niccolò D’Aquino (journalist and author of the book “The Blue Tent”), Giovanni Govoni (historic volunteer of Friends of Adwa), Carlo Farnè (president of Amici di Adwa), Sara Gozza (summer volunteer of Amici di Adwa), Lella Cattabriga (historic volunteer of Amici di Adwa), Sister Anna Nizzola (director of the Salesian Sisters of Bologna), Dr. Gianni Fava and Dr. Ercole Lucchini (great supporters of the hospital), Leda Signori and Dr. Giuseppe Marinaro (ASPOS), Dr. Fabio Catani (Director of Orthopedic Clinic at the University Polyclinic of Modena; expert in computer-assisted surgery and robotic hip and knee prostheses), Dr. Francesco Martelli (AMOA), Eng. Martinelli (designer of the Adwa hospital), Dr. Maebel Tesfay (doctor at the Adwa hospital) – each of them added a precious piece to the mosaic of our celebration.

Special thanks go to Marco Riccardo Rusconi (AICS Director), Dr. Amanuel Haile (Minister of Health of Tigray, Ethiopia), and Workenesh Mekkonen (UNOPS), for bringing their invaluable support and commitment to promoting the common good.

We cannot forget to mention the extraordinary contribution of our moderator, Enrico Atti, and our supporters, true pillars upon which the grandeur of this event was built: Fava SpA, Baltur SpA, Girotti Carburante, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Cento, Sagra del Bue, GiA, Prisma, Effeti, Lions Club Diamanti, Silla Cento, Lions Club Cento, and many others…

Unfortunately, time played a nasty trick on us, preventing us from sharing the greetings and wishes from the Vice President of the Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Antonio Tajani, and from the bishop of Adigrat, Abune Tesfaselassie Medhin. However, their spiritual presence was felt, adding a touch of magic to the evening. You can find their words at the end of this article.

Finally, a special applause goes to Rulli Frullini for their exceptional live performance and to the Habesha restaurant for delighting our guests with authentic Ethiopian dishes. We must not forget to thank also the Rulli Frulli food truck for their amazing sandwiches, which added a delicious and original touch to our party. Their participation made the atmosphere even more festive and memorable. Heartfelt thanks for your contribution.

And it doesn’t end here! We are carefully collecting every moment, every smile, every hug from that unforgettable evening, because soon we will be able to share them with all of you through our official channels. Stay tuned, because the best is yet to come.

We would like to express heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who made this splendid evening possible. Your contribution was simply priceless: from setting up the room to managing the buffet, from handling the unexpected to the joy with which you always support us. Without you, all this would not have been possible. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your commitment and dedication.

This celebration was not only a tribute to our 25 years of commitment but also a tangible sign of the strength of our community and our determination to build a better future. With hearts overflowing with gratitude, we thank every single person who made this dream possible, hoping that the next 25 years will be equally extraordinary, if not more.

Heartfelt thanks from all the staff of Amici di Adwa and the Board of Directors.

WRITTEN MESSAGE FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, Hon. Antonio Tajani

Congratulations to “Amici di Adwa” for its 25 years of commitment to the Kidane Mehret mission, which has been operating for many years – thanks to the dedication of Sister Laura Girotto, her fellow sisters, and volunteers – in a very difficult context marked most recently by a new violent conflict. Congratulations on your 25 years of concrete actions in favor of the health, education, and training of children, youth, and women. Supporting the most needy in building their own future and growing entire communities: this is the spirit that traditionally animates Italian development cooperation. This is where the action of the Government wants to start, to extend this commitment to collaboration with Africa, which also extends to economic cooperation. The goal is the establishment of equal and mutually beneficial partnerships, also thanks to the contribution of civil society, the private sector, and the academic world, to contribute to creating economic development and jobs, training new human resources, and a structured leadership class. This approach is at the heart of our action and at the center of our G7 Presidency. We also discussed this in recent days at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Capri, to which I wanted to invite the African Union Presidency to share this model with other major liberal democracies and more advanced economies. To show them concretely how we see Africa as a reality rich in potential and African countries as partners with whom to work together to address the crises and challenges we face. Ours is therefore a concerted commitment, which also takes advantage of experiences such as that of “Friends of Adwa” and the Kidane Mehret mission. Our contribution to the strengthening and expansion of its hospital is part of our broader strategy in support of Africa. Together with Africa, together with you.

Antonio Tajani

WRITTEN MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP OF ADIGRAT, Abune Tesfaselassie Medhin

May the grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit be with you (cf. 2 Timothy 1:2).

I am deeply honored to have received a personal invitation from Mr. President on behalf of the Amici di Adwa Association to participate in the joyful celebration of the 25th anniversary of your extraordinary service of love and solidarity. Unfortunately, due to the current circumstances in my Diocese, known to you, I am unable to participate physically. However, please know that my heart is filled with immense gratitude and joy for the monumental success of your mission in serving children, women, and all the poor communities through the dedicated efforts of the Kidane Mihret School, the Hospital, and the social works associated with Adwa in my Diocese.

On behalf of Rev. Sr. Laura and the Salesian Sisters, myself, and our Diocese, I extend our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and collaboration in being a pillar of strength for our dear Rev. Sr. Laura Girotto and her Religious Congregation Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters) in the development of our Mission in Adwa. Your contribution has been instrumental in bringing about positive change and impacting the lives of many.

I recall, 15 years ago, celebrating with you in Cento, a splendid evening marking 10 years of a very successful partnership, a strong spirit of human solidarity that demonstrates a special North-South bond. Even now, on your celebration of the 25th anniversary of the same service, I wish to reiterate once again that “we are deeply grateful for your sharing, not only of material blessings, but also of the extraordinary human aspect, between these two deeply cultural peoples of Italy and Ethiopia.”

Today, April 20, 2024, the 25th anniversary of the Amici di Adwa Association coincides with the date of my priestly ordination 44 years ago, and we have celebrated the Holy Mass of Thanksgiving here in our Cathedral for the intention of all deceased and living members and benefactors of “Amici di Adwa.”

Wishing you, Amici di Adwa, many blessings from our loving God for your 50th anniversary, I urge you to continue to pursue kindness and compassion, inspiring others with your dedication and passion.

Abune Tesfaselassie Medhin
Bishop of Adigrat

For all those who couldn’t join us in person but were with us in spirit, it’s time to relive the most beautiful moments! The photos and videos from the evening are ready… Get ready to laugh, cry, and, above all, to feel once again the warmth and love that binds us all!