Living with Hans Kristian Andersen

Egyptian Photographer Ahmed Hayman participated in the Arab Newspaper Development Project (ANDP). He narrates his experience of photographing the Danish Young menHans Kristian Andersen in the following lines. Hayman, whose pictures were ones of the best displayed in the “Young Men” photo exhibitions in Egypt and Denmark, has been granted a fellowship to study photo-journalism at the Danish School of Journalism during 2011.

Hayman writes:

From the most expensive, safest, and happiest place on earth. A city full of joy and cheerful faces. The young city. Welcome to Copenhagen!

Hans Kristian Andersen, 24, Danish, is studying Social Studies at Roskilde University. He has many friends in Denmark and across the world. His home is welcoming to everybody. He offers his couch for a global community of travelers visiting Copenhagen. I had the opportunity to live with him for 10 days, documenting his life.

Like most Danes, Andersen is exercising daily, running and working out. As a common young Dane, the weekends arrive with a party and too much beer. “It’s their way to socialize,” he says. We met his friend Stine, he likes her a lot, but it’s a one-sided love story. She is not reciprocating his love, but he hasn’t lost hope. He is just like any young Danish guy, wanting to find the right girl to build a family and a happy life.

Everything is possible in Denmark. People don’t have to dream about basic human needs and rights. They are easy to obtain. However, Andersen is distinguished with a dream! He is dreaming of building a boat and sailing far away.