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International Pillow Fight Day, Trafalgar Square

Europe · April 17, 2014

This post may contain compensated links. See our Terms of Use for full disclosure.

Saturday April 5th, 2014. Trafalgar Square, London.

The people had gathered, pretending not to be there. Just hanging about casually as you do on a fine Saturday afternoon.

A larger than average police presence patrolled the square and surrounding streets. “Nothing to see here, Officer! Have a good day now!” Knowing stares were exchanged, eyes darted with suspicion and anticipation. “Just bought a whole lot of linen, Officer.” “Just taking my pillow for a walk, Sir…in my pajamas. Good day!” Keep walking, keep walking! The stage was set…and there was no stopping it.

It was International Pillow Fight Day and London wasn't going home without a fight!

International Pillow Fight Day is the conception of the Urban Playground Movement whose aim is “to reclaim public space, create new ways of having fun, and overthrow the dominant entertainment paradigm by rejecting corporate sponsorship and branding.” Started back in 2008, the annual event is now in its seventh year and has grown from strength to strength with around 100 cities participating in 2014. The idea is essentially to set a date on which people in cities around the world can simultaneously stage their own public pillow fight. The times and locations of said fights are the choosing of whoever decides to organise one and the word is spread online. Basically, it's a pillow fight flash mob.

Now, London ain't a small city and Trafalgar Square no stranger to visitors. If ever an epic pillow fight could be had, this was perfect real estate. However, it seemed the struggle would begin days before with none other than local authorities. Speculation grew about whether this year's pillow fight would indeed be going ahead in Trafalgar Square when the Mayor's Office began sending out a series of emails stating that cleaning and maintenance would coincidentally be taking place in Trafalgar Square on April 5th with the majority of the area fenced off, making it “unsuitable and potentially unsafe for events.” According to London Time Out, they were asked to remove all mention of the pillow fight from their website and when asked, the Major's Office refused to suggest an appropriate alternative location, partly due to the fact that the event had “no known organiser.”

It seems those last words “no known organiser” gets closer to the real reason for the Mayor's attempts to halt proceedings. No official organiser means no one taking responsibility for public liability and the clean-up thereafter, which apparently amounted to £2,000 in costs in 2013.

Despite the best efforts by the Mayor into convincing the public the event wasn't happening, it didn't make much difference. They had indeed roped off most of the square, but the area out the front of the National Gallery was free and open. London would take it.

From about 2:30pm, it was clear these was no stopping this fight. A sizeable crowd had gathered who *just so happened* to be in the Trafalgar Square area with their pillows. And some must have *just decided* to save time and stay comfy that weekend by remaining in their sleeping attire.

International Pillow Fight Day 2014, Trafalgar Square, London

At 3pm on the dot, pillows were raised, targets were identified and the biggest pajama party the city has ever seen began. No one in the action was safe. And watch out for those children and children alike propped up on shoulders; probably the most vicious and indiscriminate of them all! Baam, baam, baam came the attacks from above.

International Pillow Fight Day 2014, Trafalgar Square, London

Soon feathers were aflurry, impairing your vision and causing the same symptoms as a hayfever sufferer on a windy spring day. Participants ducked out just long enough to pull the feathers from their mouths before heading in for more. Hell, I think I actually swallowed one.

International Pillow Fight Day 2014, Trafalgar Square, London

Your pillow is low on feathers? Never mind, just grab some from the ground and stuff them back in. But hurry, you're left defenseless in the process. The crowd grew and people were spilling off into the surrounding streets. The elevated entrance to the National Gallery became a prime viewing platform. Don't suppose many people were getting in and out of there.

Then there came the time when the only logical decision could be made, to make way for the expanding crowds, to give London back its square. The barriers came down and in exaltation Trafalgar Square was once again a place of the people.

For more than two hours, Londoners revelled in the centre of their city, letting their hair down and feathers fly in what has to be declared one of the biggest stress-relieving events on the capital's calendar.

Like the best get-togethers, the only thing to stop this party was pure exhaustion. Ready to hit the sack, better stop off at the nearest department store for a replacement on the way home!

International Pillow Fight Day 2014, Trafalgar Square, London

*We also took video of the event that we'd like to share. Unfortunately, due to our current location we are unable to upload it, but hang tight and we'll publish it ASAP #youtubeisblockedinturkey*

Did you participate in International Pillow Fight Day festivities in your city? If not, would you consider it next year?

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Filed Under: Europe Tagged With: the united kingdom

Jessica Korteman

Jessica Korteman is an Australian travel writer, based in Tokyo, Japan. Never without a pen and paper, you'll most often find her delving into the world of festivals and culture.

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  1. Andrea Daniel says

    March 16, 2015 at 2:29 am

    How many years have you been going to the pillow fight?
    If everyone tells one person about the pillow fight, the event will double in size.
    Here is beautiful T shirt, i’ll wear that day:
    https://fabrily.com/PillowFightDay2015Shirts

    Reply
    • Jessica - Notes of Nomads says

      March 17, 2015 at 12:39 pm

      Haha There are t-shirts now?! Did you design it?

      We have only been to the one in this post, but would gladly participate in more around the world. :)

      Reply
  2. Charlie says

    April 22, 2014 at 1:33 am

    This is so cute!!!

    Reply
    • Jessica Korteman says

      April 29, 2014 at 4:31 am

      :)

      Reply
  3. Oliver says

    April 17, 2014 at 10:47 pm

    “a pillow fight flash mob”… marvellous! Still amazed by the idea and I really love the pictures. I can imagine there’s so much joy all over the place and your video probably captures even more of that… Will keep my eyes peeled! :)

    Reply
    • Jessica Korteman says

      April 18, 2014 at 11:04 pm

      Thanks Oliver! Joyous it was! It’s not so often you see so many people smiling and enjoying themselves en masse like that. Definitely a sight!

      Reply
  4. Sam says

    April 17, 2014 at 6:55 pm

    Yet another thing about my hometown I didn’t know that you’ve educated me about! Amazing! I’m not sure I’d want to get involved in myself (I’d probably have a horrible allergic reaction to all the pillows!) but definitely looks like it’d be fun to watch.

    Reply
    • Jessica Korteman says

      April 18, 2014 at 11:00 pm

      You know, we saw some people before the fight carrying hypoallergenic pillows (they still had the plastic on them because they had just bought them specifically for the fight) and we were really appreciative of that when feathers started flying. Still started sneezing and getting watery eyes but it was something. Looked like there might have been a few dodgy hostel pillows amongst them though. Eeeww! haha

      Reply
  5. Les Petits Pas de Juls says

    April 17, 2014 at 9:53 am

    Just incredible! Will have to be on the look-out for next year’s events! ;-)

    Reply
    • Jessica Korteman says

      April 18, 2014 at 10:50 pm

      Definitely! Or just start one yourself! ;)

      Reply

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