Fact: it’s cathartic to hit complete strangers with large, soft objects. In a high-pressure city like Hong Kong, there is rarely a free public gathering with no sponsor, political angle or charity motive behind the scenes. International Pillowfight Day is purely for amusement − to let off steam and indulge in blissful madness until you’re so exhausted from swinging plush weapons and laughing hysterically that you collapse. Hong Kong is just one of many participating cities around the globe hosting a Pillowfight Day.

Now in its second year, unofficial ringmaster Tom Grundy expects ‘all Hongkongers to unleash their feathery fury and feel the fervour of cushiony rage!’ Last year’s gathering saw more than 200 enthusiastic participants dressed up in costumes ranging from anime characters to Spartans, plus one group tethered to a dream-machine (role-playing the climatic scenes from Inception). The sleepy soldiers didn’t limit themselves to pillows either; many wielded stuffed animals while launching bras through clouds of feathers. The event is officially ‘at-your-own-risk’, but the previous fight went off without any bone crunching or tiny tears, so we don’t think you should worry.

To take part, show up with your own cased pillow (preferably featherless, certainly free of billiard balls) along with a hilarious costume (pyjamas at the very least); wait for the signal to begin; then go nuts! No attacking unarmed civilians, please, or people with cameras. And be a good citizen by helping clean up the pillow guts afterwards.

Michal Garcia

Join in the free Pillowfight at Statue Square on Saturday March 31 at 5pm. For more info: www.tinyurl.com/hkpillowfight