Free Hugs in Brussels!

I've written before about the Free Hugs Movement . This video never fails to move me and tells the story of the Free Hugs Movement better than words alone can.

When I was in Italy last November, I shared the love with the Free Hug folks in Rome while my puzzled family wondered what the heck I was doing hugging strangers. It was singularly satisfying. The participants in Rome gave REAL hugs, not half-hearted when-will-this-be-over stuff.

Well, now I have a chance to hold a sign and dispense hugs in the capital of Europe. On Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m., I'll be joining the Free Hugs Movement at the Place de la Monnaie in Brussels.

Will my sign say Free Hugs or Calin Gratuit? I'm not sure. I may not even be able to communicate with the French-speaking organizers, but I'm proud to say I can hug with the best of them. Come out and share the love, ya'll. Bring a sign if you want to give as well as receive.  These events tend to attract participants much younger and cuter than I am, so don't let me be a Free Hugs wallflower, overlooked in favor of the cute Belgian blondes. Come out and see me. I'll hug ya right!

Comments

[Expat-CIT]

I watched the video and feel liked I've just been hugged! And across the miles V, a virtual hug from me to you...HUG! Pass it along on Saturday for me.

[Elisabeth]

Absolutely awesome. Make a bilingual sign, V. Even better, make it English/Flemish/French. You'll get more hugs that way!

[wordgirl]

I've seen that video. It "gets me" every time.

[simon]

I got one in Leuven last year. Good to see that it's still spreading. See you there,on Saturday..?

[Tera]

Happy Hugs V! Just be careful not to grab any autistics...I wouldn't want to see you get a black eye or anything ;-)

[V-Grrrl]

Oh Tera, you are so funny, but I'm terribly disappointed. I do excellent autistic hugs and call it "occupational therapy" and "touch desensitization."

[Di]

Loved the hugs thing when I first saw and would love to come over with my camera, unfortunately I have to finish up with the wedding photographs ... viewing on Sunday. I might be a wee bit stressed :)

[V-Grrrl]

Javacurls is going to join me. Curly grrrls in the middle!

We promise to hug each other if no one takes us up on our offer.

[Lynn]

I wish I could come - I need one of those hugs right now!! Thankfully a colleague knew I needed one yesterday and gave me one of those good "Real" hugs! She's of Italian descent, so maybe Europeans are better educated on this!

[V-Grrrl]

Sending Big Love out to you, grrrl. Lean into the monitor and bask in it.

[Peter]

In this "age of social disconnectivity and lack of human contact" sharing your warmth by hugging complete strangers in downtown Brussels, a city that is known for being cold and distant, is an act of pure kindness.

I wouldn't worry about any competition from the 20-something crowd: along with Javacurls you're an unbeatable team: you both glow with exuberant, high-spirited happiness - spread it girls ;-)

My only excuse for not hooking up with you both is the slightly inconvenient fact that next Saturday I'll be holding hands at 180 feet above street level in Antwerp, but that's a different story.

If you would happen to find someone with a camera to capture this unique event in Brussels we could all relive the experience.

[Javacurls]

I just love that video! Makes me cry everytime I watch it.

Can't wait to join you tomorrow!

[furiousBall]

Man, that rules. In this world dominated by fear, hugs go a long way.

[Shirl Grrrl]

Sounds wonderful! I wish I could join you. We Southerners know how to hug good, too!

[CB]

I wish I could join the hug fest. If you decide to do one of those running and leaping hugs just make sure it's not one of those buffed guys you were hanging with at the Middelheim Museum, and send a Vgrrrtual hug my way.

[V-Grrrl]

One Vgrrrtual hug transmitting--stand back and brace yourself--it's a running one!

[TB]

Have a blast V. This sounds like so much fun.

[Peace]

I love the Free Hugs campaign. I watched the video the first time you posted it. Makes me happy. Makes me know that we are all the same. Wanting to be understood, hugged and loved.

[V-Grrrl]

Margarita-makin, earth-shakin, deport-takin Cindy Lane is going to put in a guest appearance. Y'all know what that means--SOMETHING memorable is going to happen because Cindy is a freak magnet. Check out her blog The Belgian Years (linked on my blog roll).

[Nance]

Here's a hug all the way from NE Ohio. And I need one today, just to keep warm! Major cold front went through last night and we got down in the 40s!