Adieu! Carlo

Yesterday, December 19, 2025, family members and friends gathered to bid farewell to the late Kidane Ghebremichael (Carlo). At the request of his family, I was honored to share a testimony in his memory, which I present below.

December 19, 2025

Esteemed Family, Relatives, and Friends of the Beloved Brother Kidane Ghebremichael (Carlo), 

We are deeply saddened and shocked by our brother’s death. However, today's gathering holds a different significance. I would like to highlight three important reasons for our assembly.

First, we are here to remember and honor the experiences and memories that we shared with our dear brother Kidane throughout his life.

Second, to celebrate his achievements from his youth to his untimely departure.

Third, to express our gratitude to our Almighty Creator for blessing us with Kidane, a person of great soul, as a brother, parent, and friend.

The story that Kidane and I share began during our secondary school days in Asmara. I recall that beyond our regular day lessons, we had ample time in the evenings to learn Italian and Arabic. While our desire to learn Italian was driven by our curiosity and thirst for languages, but learning Arabic seemed prudent in case we joined Jebha (or the Eritrean Liberation Front), as it would facilitate communication with its members, whom we believed conversed in Arabic. What a naïve thought that was!

From left to right:- Kidane (Carlo): Berhane Asghedom; Semere Solomon: Yusuf Hassen

Our relationship continued during our university years, a period that also saw us exiled to Italy and Sweden alongside my brothers, Yusuf Hassan and Berhane Asgedom, while we remained active in our pursuits.

After spending a few years in exile, fate led me to be absent from my dear friends for 17 years. In 1991, I reconnected with them, and the joy was indescribable.

Subsequently, for approximately seven years after independence, I maintained regular contact with my brother Kidane. He returned to his homeland to contribute to nation-building by establishing a highly regarded consulting firm with his partners in the construction sector. During those days, it would not be an exaggeration to say that we met almost every other day. Our conversations were always endless and lively, covering topics from our families and friends to politics or simply catching up on everything effortlessly.

Even after my exile, our connection remained intact, albeit through phone conversations. We always have much to discuss.

I have known Kidane for decades. He excelled in his studies and achieved success in his profession. Today, however, I want to focus not on these achievements but on Kidane as a person—the human being I knew, the friend, the brother, and the person with whom I had the privilege of sharing experiences from our youth into adulthood.

I am here to speak about the qualities and virtues that defined Kidane as I knew him:

Our brother Kidane, whose life we celebrate today, was a man of genuine character. His integrity and conscience were the consistent foundations of his life, and he was endowed with universal compassion.

His network of friends and acquaintances was extensive. He engaged with professionals on a professional level, with business people on a business level, and with others through shared experiences at various points in his life. He was a great listener, respectful of others' viewpoints, and never hesitated to offer or receive advice. He laughed and made others laugh, supporting those with whom he empathized with. Although he was generous, I had never heard him boast about financially supporting anyone; bragging was not in his nature.

From left to right:- Kidane (Carlo): Berhane Asghedom; Semere Solomon: Yusuf Hassen

He was calm. I have never heard him raise his voice. I even asked his daughter about this, and she told me, "I have never heard Papa raise his voice." Her confirmation aligned with my observations. Another trait of Kidane was that he did not hold grudges. Indeed, I have never heard him speak ill of those who have wronged him. "They probably did it because they thought it was right," he would say.

Kidane has achieved much in his academic and professional life. Yet, it was his humility that truly shone through in his personality. His relationships, regardless of social standing, were marked by an unconditional closeness and love. The kindness he extended to others came from within. His heart spoke sincerely. However, he was hesitant to judge others.  

He often exclaimed, "Home sweet home!" Even now, my children, mimicking Carlo, repeat the phrase, "Home sweet home" whenever they come home after a long and tiresome day or an exhausting trip.  Yet, beneath this nostalgic expression lies a deep philosophical message. For Kidane, his family, friends, and compatriots were the "home" he cherished. This is why he made "Home sweet home!" a frequent expression.

Our dear brother Kidane, you are now in the home you always called sweet. Though our hearts ache, we hear you saying, "Home sweet home" in the presence of your Creator. Your eternal home!

I am grateful for the friendship that has endured for decades. May God's kingdom welcome you as you generously opened your heart to me. At this moment, I must also express my gratitude for the support you provided by reading my book and for your strong encouragement.

For the bitterness of loss and sorrow, for your steadfastness, I will remember you for as long as I live.

You lived a rich and full life, and all your friends are proud of you. We have no regrets. You will be present in all our conversations. We will always remember you.

Those final days and hours spent with you were not by chance. What seems now like a call to spend time together was actually a farewell.

May the Kingdom of Heaven be your inheritance, our dear brother Kidane.

And to all family members and friends, may He grant us strength.

Your loving brother, Semere Solomon