Hans Henning Harmer, was born in 1943 in Denmark. After graduating from University of Copenhagen, he had a broad amount of experiences from different work-situations and jobs. His first novel got a debutant prize at the literary Fair of Copenhagen. The same year first prize in a scandinavian, literary competition for suspense-novels. During the years he has received many scholarships from the Danish state.

　　Among others the prestigious 3-year working grant from the Danish State for excellent performance.

　　With the exception of one, all my novels take place in countries outside my own: USA, Russia, The Middle East, India. Going abroad, collecting material for a literary work, and return and to give form to the experiences I have made in foreign countries.

　　My books contain a lot of information on how people relate to each other in different social environments. They try to give a plastic and realistic account of these environments, but also try to penetrate into the mind of the characters, their psychology and the enigmatic

　　parts of their mental make-up. Especially when under pressure, when put into dilemmas, which force them to make a decisive choice. To give this a literary form I feel it important to use a varied language, and the elaboration of the artistic expression is a important part of my work.

　　My reason for coming to Shanghai is the fascinating history of the city. My specific project is to tell a story about a russian family, that comes to Shanghai in the end of the 1930?s, experiences the fascistic japanese occupation of China, and leaves for Europe after the war.