The song Обійми (Obijmy) was recorded before 2014 and was supposed to be a simple lyrical ballad about love, but it became a kind of voice of Ukraine, which the whole world heard at the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. For many people, this song now sounds like a desire to hug those from whom you are separated, with those who are now at the front or with those who will never return home.

It is a dream that one day this war will end, that spring will come, that all the people who now live apart will finally be reunited, will be able to embrace each other again and will never be separated again.

Okean Elzy is the most popular music band in Ukraine, whose songs are very consonant and relevant now for all Ukrainians. Wherever we are, forced to leave our country, having lost a lot: work, our home, our loved ones, but choosing safety for ourselves and our children abroad or remaining in our home country under constant bombing and shelling because of the Russian occupation war against Ukraine, our souls sing this song, trying to survive and not fall to the bottom.

I never planned to leave my country. I had everything I needed for my little happiness: family, healthy parents, my own home, a job that brought me pleasure. In February 2022, when Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, I chose safety for myself and my 4-year-old daughter and came to the Netherlands. You can't imagine how this war heightened all our feelings! I could never have imagined that in the 21st century, a peaceful European country with a well-developed economy could be attacked by a neighboring country. It was just some kind of terrible dream. What we saw only in movies and read about in books became a terrible reality for us. That's why this song resonates with me so much now.

My name is Veronika Tistechko. I am a forced refugee from Ukraine. I have been living in the Netherlands for 3 years, working and renting a place, trying to be as useful as possible in the new society. I am very grateful to all the Dutch for such a warm welcome and support. Thank you for being open and positive towards all of us. You have a wonderful and beautiful country!

Veronika herself sings the song at the liberation concert, accompanied by the city carillonist.