Why I love Xiamen。
In Denmark， and that‘s where I come from， you have an expression that says： ”3。 time - is the walk of happiness。”
Of Chinese cities， I first visited Beijing。 It was in 2008 - just after the Olympic Games。
The following year I visited Hohhot in Inner Mongolia。 Both times it was my art that brought me to China。 In 2010 I came to Xiamen for the first time。 Would both teach visual art and exhibit separately in Lanlan Gallery（注：厦门旧雨今来轩画廊） （today NAC - Nordic Art Center for Contemporay Art， Xiamen， Aotuo 注：厦门·北欧当代艺术中心）
Since then it has become many visits。 To this charming city in close contact with the sea。 Created so long ago。 Maintained and renewed over generations。
Visits together with Danish colleagues， alone and with my family。 Finally in 2016 I settled down in Xiamen and today I live with my wife， a lovely woman and known poet， Zi Fan Mei（注：Lars妻子诗人子梵梅）。
So yes， there is love involved， but I also love Xiamen for its sensuality。 In Denmark， many things are much quieter， but the reality is， I love the city situated by the water with its variation of dense living in both older and modern houses。 I love the markets， the small streets with rich variety of shops。 I like to see the city have a history of contact with the outside world。 Both the close here in Asia， but also the big one that today also includes China‘s new “Beldt and Road project” that addresses and involves the rest of the world。
I love the expression that arises when both the tradition and the sensible modern are met and meet in the urban space。 I find the upcoming metro one of these sensible modern constructions。
I also owe my wonderful life to my wife and health system in Xiamen。 I had an accident that was dealt with quickly and sensibly at the university hospital of Xiamen。 Danish doctors have since confirmed that the treatment I received was both competent and reasonable。 I‘m grateful for that today。 I also see other people get sensible treatment when they are in contact with the health system here in Xiamen。
One summer we came back to Xiamen I noticed a waste sorting system had been introduced。 I was very pleased。 In Denmark we have been doing for a very long time。 Personally， I have always been of the opinion that you participate in a party， you must also participate in cleaning up after him。
Right now it‘s a party to live in Xiamen。 Here is clean air。 Lots of trees and plants along the roads。 Supports variation in the many lovely parks that alternate between very cultivated and more wild nature。 All in all， I think we all have to take part in taking care of， so that future generations can also enjoy Xiamen’s wonderful human charm。
I love being here and want to contribute to it being preserved in a dignified and sustainable way。
Regards and Love
Lars Ravn
