Tuesdays @HilbertRaum

HuggingRaum

22nd July 2025 // 7pm 

By Kalma & Eli Cornejo

with the participation of Lan Hungh, Matias Brunacci, Cristóbal.

Hugs serve as a primal language, one of our first forms of connection. Without physical contact, infants may suffer developmental delays (studies on orphanages show higher risks of cognitive and emotional disorders). Teenagers, adults, and the elderly who lack touch face increased risks of anxiety, depression, and even cardiovascular issues.

Scientific studies show that hugging: 

-regulates the central nervous system, reducing stress (cortisol levels drop, while oxytocin rises) -strengthens the immune system by lowering inflammation

-improves sleep quality by promoting feelings of safety

-elevates mood, combating loneliness and depression.

How much hugging is necessary?

Experts recommend at least 4 hugs a day for emotional well-being. A meaningful hug should last at least 20 seconds to trigger oxytocin release.

Hugging as resistance in an age of isolation: Berlin has one of the highest rates of single-person households in Europe—over 54% of residents live alone (source: Statistik Berlin-Brandenburg).

The decline of traditional family structures, the crisis of intimacy, and digital relationships raise questions: What replaces physical closeness? How do we rebuild trust in a fragmented society?

Hugging as a political act—a call for peace.
In an agitated world with many countries in war, algorithmic rhetoric, AI-generated content, and performative activism (does reposting liberates us from the doing-the action?), do we lose accountability? How do we reclaim individual responsibility within our closest circles? Small actions—grains of sand—matter. Together, they form a beach, a collective force.

The embrace is not just comfort; it’s a radical demand for peace.