Free Hugs
About
Free Hugs Campaign is an international social movement built around the individual or group practice of offering hugs to strangers in public places, no strings attached. A random act of kindness gone viral in real life via interweb, there are dozens of YouTube videos uploaded by Free Hugs supporters from around the world. International Free Hugs Day is celebrated on the first Saturday of July.
Origin
Free Hugs is a campaign started by Youtube user PeaceOnEarth123 a.k.a Juan Mann. The concept is simple: Go into a public place holding a sign saying “Free Hugs” and accept a hug from any stranger willing to ask for one. The above video features Mann giving free hugs to strangers in Pitt St Mall in Sydney, Australia. This video has gained over 58 million views, making it the 38th most viewed video on Youtube (As of April 2010).
Response
After Juan Mann’s video was uploaded, many other Youtubers were inspired to do the same.
South Korea
Amsterdam
Scotland
New York City
Hollywood
Tokyo
Ecuador
Peru
China
Manila
Parody
Several other Youtube users parodied the campaign.
Mediocre Films’ $2 Deluxe Hugs
youpitou’s Free Slaps
The Australian late night TV show The Chaser’s War on Everything parodied the video as well
