In the first months of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the song Oi u luzi chervona kalyna (The red viburnum in the meadow – ed.) gained new popularity at home and abroad. This song was written in 1914 and symbolises the struggle for freedom, the Cossack origin of the Ukrainian people, and patriotism. In 2022, Ukraine seems to have remembered its strength and roots. This song became a symbol of invincibility.
In July 2023, the minister for European affairs of Finland, Anders Adlerkroits, performed the song on cello. Adlerkroits did this to honour those who fought for the freedom of Ukraine. The video of the song was published to 500 days of the Ukrainian freedom struggle. The video is supplemented with photos of the Ukrainian singer Andrii Khlymyuk, who, in February 2022, sang this song on Sophia Square in the centre of Kyiv, returned the popularity of this song and united Ukrainians to it.
"500 days of unprovoked aggression, countless war crimes, the lost future of many people, but also many inspiring successes. Ukraine is fighting for its independence, but also for the independence of Europe. Finland is next to you today and tomorrow," the MPs signed the video.
