Social media users were given a momentary reprieve from the constant visuals depicting the atrocities of the Russian invasion of Ukraine with a clip of a little Ukrainian girl in a bomb shelter singing "Let It Go" from Disney's Frozen.
The clip of her impromptu performance in front of her captive audience from inside what is presumably a bunker went viral.
When she finished singing, the other families who are sheltering with her applauded and shouted, "Bravo!"
Little girl singing "Let it go" in a shelter\n\n#UkraineRussianWar #Ukraine #UkraineUnderAttackpic.twitter.com/6gfcUoiwJJ— Ankita Jain (@Ankita Jain) 1646581309
Although it was unclear where exactly the video was recorded, the Ukrainian flag could be seen displayed on a wall of the crowded, basement-like room.
The multi-award-winning earworm, written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, was first heard in 2013 when Frozen was unleashed upon the world and gained instant commercial success.
Anderson-Lopez, who saw the awe-inspiring video, had no words but shared the tweet with a sad face emoji and a snowflake.
https://twitter.com/ankita20200/status/1500496884255051776\u00a0\u2026— Kristen Anderson-Lopez (@Kristen Anderson-Lopez) 1646584968
The clip also reached actress/singer extraordinaire, Idina Menzel, who voiced the character of Queen Elsa who sings "Let It Go" in the popular animated feature.
Menzel shared the video, tweeting to the people of Ukraine:
"We see you. We really, really see you. 💙💛"
We see you. We really, really see you. https://twitter.com/Ankita20200/status/1500496884255051776\u00a0\u2026— Idina Menzel (@Idina Menzel) 1646624026
Social media users who were also moved by the video praised the little girl's performance.
Even the babies stopped crying to hear the voice of an angel.https://twitter.com/Ankita20200/status/1500496884255051776?s=20&t=Us6Hms5CpJVzcTuaxg8NWw\u00a0\u2026— Wayne (@Wayne) 1646605573
I cried watching this. I hate everyone who takes away their childhood.— Agnieszka Rutkowska (@Agnieszka Rutkowska) 1646600615
Her name is Amelia and she wants to be a "singer on a grand stage" and Marta said "why not start now." They are in a shelter in Kyiv. This little girl is singing in a world turned violent. I bawled and knew I would find it on twitter. Thank you sweet Amelia.— DebbieM\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6NO FBR Lists!*Biden/Harris,Senate/House (@DebbieM\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6NO FBR Lists!*Biden/Harris,Senate/House) 1646629462
This angelic little girl singing Let It Go, reminds us there is still goodness in the world. And in another reminder of goodness, a photo showing strollers left by Polish mothers at the train station for arriving mothers from Ukraine. #Ukraine #PrayForUkraine #Ukrainianpic.twitter.com/4pnhInSUAz— Vincent J. Bove (@Vincent J. Bove) 1646626246
Am I the only one who can\u2019t stop watching this?— Cherfan4ever1\ud83c\udf0e\ud83d\udd4a\ud83d\udc95\ud83e\udd8b#CherCrew (@Cherfan4ever1\ud83c\udf0e\ud83d\udd4a\ud83d\udc95\ud83e\udd8b#CherCrew) 1646626765
So devastatingly beautiful the way everyone fell silent and just listened— Queen Dee (@Queen Dee) 1646634373
Well it was impossible not to cry with that gorgeous little voice and that sweet little face singing so beautifully. May she and her family and all with her remain safe. The memory of her won't let go of my heart anytime soon.— Milenaac (@Milenaac) 1646612206
She should be out making memories with her friends not having to hide in fear. That's heartbreaking— Gary Thorburn (@Gary Thorburn) 1646659616
Others voiced their frustrations and empathized with the Ukrainian citizens, who have either fought for their country or sought refuge in neighboring countries since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the attack on Ukraine.
This has to end.\nThis is the killing of innocence\nThis is the killing of a democracy\nThe eradication of a beautiful people who\u2019s only crime is geography next to a tyrant.\nMy father fought tyranny in WWII\n\nWe need to fight that now— Jake Toad (@Jake Toad) 1646611414
OMG the little darling. I am crying. Ukraine. Syria. Palestine, Somalia, Yemen, Columbia and on and on and on. Why are we doing this to our children, to ourselves?— \ud83c\udf3b Triple Vaxed, still masked \ud83c\udf3b (@\ud83c\udf3b Triple Vaxed, still masked \ud83c\udf3b) 1646612279
I\u2019m crying just looking at all the families in this small space trying to survive and not let their children know their fear and just imagining how different their lives were 10 days ago, It\u2019s hard to imagine putting ourselves in this predicament and how we would handle it.— Nancy Morris (@Nancy Morris) 1646613064
Awe-inspiring loveliness sheltered from Putin\u2019s slaughter outside.\n\nTears in my eyes.— Christopher, Esq. (@Christopher, Esq.) 1646614640
This is why we fight and never give up!! The kids are the future and they deserve a chance to grow up and experience life and achieve their dreams whatever they may be.— R (@R) 1646629684
Nearly a decade later, the empowering song–with its theme of releasing shame and fear from public scrutiny–has maintained its generational appeal.
Now, this young girl's emotional performance of "Let It Go" is being viewed as an emblem of hope and resilience in times of war.
We are with Ukraine.
