Maya Kuperman is an award-winning Israeli poet and journalist.Born and raised in Haifa, Kuperman started publishing in literary magazines at the age of 16. Her collection of poems “Mother Tongue“ was published in 2007.She studied Comparative Literature and Gender Studies in Tel Aviv University. Kuperman lives in Berlin since 2011, where she keeps writing and taking part in poetry festivals in Germany, France and Brazil.
What brought you to Berlin? Love? World politics? Or was it a coincidence?
The answer to this is changing all the time. But love would always be correct in this case.
What do you love about Berlin?
The nature around me. It gives me a sense of freedom. The size of the city, it's huge. Meeting new people all the time form so many different backgrounds.
What do you miss in Berlin?
My mother tongue. Going into a book shop and finding books and newspapers in Hebrew.
What is your favorite spot in Berlin?
Tempelhofer Feld and the Landwehrkanal
Would you say you are a different person in Berlin? A different translator? And if yes, in what way?
For sure. I started writing in English only after I moved to Berlin. Migration is a very strong experience and this topic has become a main topic in my writing since I am here.
Which existing literary work do you wish you had written?
I would like to write a novel.