ST VALENTINE’S Day saw strangers embrace as a team of huggers threw their arms around Grafton Street shoppers, with the aim of bringing some cheer to the city.
The group of more than 30 huggers offered free hugs to people on the street between 1pm and 5pm, in an attempt to provide an antidote to the misery of the recession, according to organisers.
Shoppers were also given handmade Valentine’s Day cards containing messages such as “somebody loves you” by people from places as far away as China, Peru and Slovenia.
Sara Ariceaga, from Mexico, said she took part in the event, which is part of an international “free hugs day” campaign, to bring smiles to the streets.
“I did it before and a lot of people were thanking me, saying I had made their day. It felt great,” she said.
Also taking part in the event was Wexford student Ann-Marie Murphy, who said she would have been there come rain or snow: “A blizzard wouldn’t have kept me from spreading the joy.”
Ms Murphy added that she had been really looking forward to the day, as she said there would be a great atmosphere among people on the street.
Similar events took place on the same day in London, Las Vegas, Bangalore and Philadelphia.
The free hug campaign was started in 2004 by an Australian man known only by the pseudonym “Juan Mann”. It gained worldwide fame in 2006 as result of a YouTube video.
Believing this to be an age of social disconnection, Juan embarked on the free hug mission to bring people together.