Amid an extremely tight geopolitical situation in the world Sputnik wants to bring in a bit of warmth and love and remind you about basic human values.
International Hugging Day is an annual event, established by Kevin Zaborney in 1986. As a HUG ambassador, Zaborney found out that people are stressed and depressed in the period following the winter holidays, and that "American society is embarrassed to show feelings in public." That is why came up with the idea for an occasion that would both fill people with joy and encourage them to express their feelings more freely. Generally, hugging is a good way to relieve stress, improve one’s mood, calm them down or simply show affection and sympathy. However, in various cultures there is a different attitude towards hugging. There is also a very cautious attitude to hugs in Islamic cultures, where embracing people of the opposite gender is traditionally avoided in public. Politicians, however, are no strangers to this gesture of friendship. For instance, Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev was famous for hugging his counterparts and accompanying the gesture with three firm kisses on the cheeks. Have a look at politicians' and celebrities' way of hugging in Sputnik's gallery!
Sputnik would like to take a break from our tense current geopolitical environment and bring in a bit of warmth and love and remind everyone about basic human values.
International Hugging Day is an annual event, established by Kevin Zaborney in 1986.
As a HUG ambassador, Zaborney found out that people are stressed and depressed in the period following the winter holidays, and that "American society is embarrassed to show feelings in public." That is why came up with the idea for an occasion that would both fill people with joy and encourage them to express their feelings more freely.
Generally, hugging is a good way to relieve stress, improve one’s mood, calm them down or simply show affection and sympathy. However, in various cultures there is a different attitude towards hugging.
In Portugal, Brazil and some Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common, especially for males, to finish letters and emails with Um abraço or Abraço or Un abrazo ("a hug", or "hug") followed by the sender's signature. In others, however, an unexpected hug can be regarded as an invasion of one's personal space.
There is also a very cautious attitude to hugs in Islamic cultures, where embracing people of the opposite gender is traditionally avoided in public.
Politicians, however, are no strangers to this gesture of friendship. For instance, Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev was famous for hugging his counterparts and accompanying the gesture with three firm kisses on the cheeks.
Have a look at politicians' and celebrities' way of hugging in Sputnik's gallery!
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, hugs Russian President Vladimir Putin before their meeting in New Delhi, India, Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. Putin arrived in India on Thursday for a two-day visit during which India signed a $5 billion deal to buy Russian S-400 air defense systems despite a U.S. law ordering sanctions on any country trading with Russia's defense and intelligence sectors. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
French President Emmanuel Macron (L) hugs Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he welcomes him before their meeting at the Chateau of Chantilly, near Paris, on August 22, 2019. (Photo by PASCAL ROSSIGNOL / POOL / AFP)
Brazilian ex-President Jair Bolsonaro (R) hugs General Secretary of Presidency Luiz Eduardo Ramos (L) during the launching ceremony of the National Identity Card at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, on February 23, 2022. Previously in Brazil, each state was responsible for issuing an ID Card, and it was possible for a citizen to have up to 27 IDs. From now on, it will be a single national number. (Photo by EVARISTO SA / AFP)
Leonardo DiCaprio, winner of the award for best actor in a leading role for "The Revenant", left, embraces Kate Winslet backstage at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Former President Barack Obama, right, is picked-up and lifted off the ground by Scott Van Duzer, left, owner of Big Apple Pizza and Pasta Italian Restaurant during an unannounced stop, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Ft. Pierce, Fla. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Former US President Donald Trump hugs the US flag as he arrives to speak at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland, on March 2, 2019. (Photo by Nicholas Kamm / AFP)
Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul hugs Lionel Messi after his third goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Argentina and Croatia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hug at Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad, India, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. India poured on the pageantry with a joyful, colorful welcome for President Donald Trump on Monday that kicked off a whirlwind 36-hour visit meant to reaffirm U.S.-India ties while providing enviable overseas imagery for a president in a re-election year. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
India's Shreyas Iyer hugs Virat Kohli after Kohli scored century during the third one-day international cricket match between India and Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram, India, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
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