Today, for the first time, international "Free Hugs Day" will be celebrated in Yerevan. Scores of young people will be walking the streets of the capital, making their way from Republic Square to Lovers Park across from the British Embassy on Baghramyan Avenue, carrying posters advertising the free service. Those wanting a free hug just need to walk up and request a "loving embrace". "We Armenians are known the world over as a dour people. I want to break that stereotype. I'm participating in this public event and have already hugged eight people", 22 year-old Ruzanna told "Hetq". 18 year-old Armen was exciting about the opportunity to get to hug pretty girls for free. "We are simply rude to each other as a way of life. We don't intend to out of malice but that's how we act. I will hug everyone today and no one will get offended." 49 year-old Vigen, another random passerby we spoke to said, "They are young and want to get pampered. They can go hug each other if that's what they want but they shouldn't be pestering people they don't know." The Free Hugs campaign in its present form was started by Juan Mann on June 30, 2004, when he commenced giving out hugs in the Pitt St Mall in central Sydney. In the months prior to this Mann had been feeling depressed and lonely as a result of numerous personal difficulties. However a random hug from a stranger made an enormous difference, with Mann stating that "...I went out to a party one night and a completely random person came up to me and gave me a hug. I felt like a king! It was greatest thing that ever happened." Mann carried the now iconic "FREE HUGS" sign from the outset. However on his first attempt in his hometown, where he returned to find that he was the only person he knew, as his friends and family had moved away, he had to wait fifteen minutes before an elderly lady came up to him and gave him a hug.