Maj Westerfeld

Maj Westerfeld was born in Denmark. Since 1997 she is living in Berlin.

She studied French and Dutch at the University of Copenhagen.
During her studies, it took her to Brussels, where she studied movies at the Université Libre de Bruxelles.

She worked as a Danish teacher, museum’s guide and employee of the Danish embassy, before she became a freelance translator of literature.

In 2011 she participated at the LCB’s Summer Academy.
In 2015 and 2019 she joined the translators-workshop „Kein Kinderspiel“ in Hamburg.
Furthermore, she conducted two german-danish ViceVersa-workshops at the EÜK Straelen in 2016 and 2018.

She translates adult literature as well as literature for young people.   

What brought you to Berlin? Love? World politics? Or was it a coincidence?

A combination of love and coincidence

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What do you love about Berlin?

That I can always manage to discover new places in town.

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What do you miss in Berlin?

The sea, at any season of the year. And a good, salty liquorice.

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What is your favorite spot in Berlin?

I like to explore the city by bike.

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Would you say you are a different person in Berlin? A different translator? And if yes, in what way?

I guess so. Living with and inbetween two cultures is definitely a great enrichment for me.

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Which existing literary work do you wish you had written?

The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen.