Hug A Medievalist Day 2016

by JONATHAN HSY

It’s HERE!

It’s International Hug A Medievalist Day!

Since 2011, this holiday has offered people a chance to express their love and affection for medievalists by, well, hugging them. Or if you’re a medievalist, hug yourself! Or snuggle with your favorite medieval book! If there’s a special medievalist in your life, consider giving them a hug today—with their consent, of course.

Some context, if you haven’t come across this before:

• Interview with the holiday’s inventor, Sarah Laeske (this interview is from 2013)
• Excellent writeup about the holiday in The New Yorker (Macy Halford, 2011)

Some useful links:

• Event site for 2016 on Facebook
• Photo contest (courtesy of The Lone Medievalist group on Facebook)
• Follow the #HugAMedievalist hashtag on twitter throughout the day

Some interesting medieval #hugpix newly circulating on social media this year:

• Monkey and cat (h/t Anthony Bale)
• Sculptural stone huggers in Lincoln Cathedral (h/t Elaine Treharne)
• Joachim and Anne (h/t Robert Miller)
• Cain and Abel, awkwardly (h/t Sjoerd Levelt)

Once again, always seek consent before hugging. Here’s a useful and humorous guide on how to hug your medievalist today (Natalie Grinnell, 2014).

HUG OFTEN, HUG RESPONSIBLY!

P.S. Remember that MORE festivities will ensue tomorrow (on Whan That Aprille Day)!