Written in February 2020, published 2020-03-20

The author of the game, Veronica Alva is an artist and a graphic designer originating from Mexico City. After living in many places, she now calls Montreal her home of 6 years. 

As a graphic designer, she has worked mostly to promote cultural events by creating unique posters which is her favourite media, as it combines typography, illustration, photography to catch the eye in a public space.

In search of a more personal reflection in her work, she has created  Je suis Toi – The Game of Empathy, a game of cards that has the purpose to teach kids empathy with illustrations inspired by nature in Quebec.

1- What’s the story of the game?

“Everything started with the Mayan custom of greeting each other by saying In Lak’esh, which literally means ‘I am another you’. I love how it sounds in French “Je suis Toi”.  It’s a phrase that denotes empathy by recognizing the other within one self.

I wanted to use this phrase for a project that would involve my skills as a graphic designer, for a while it wasn’t clear what kind of project that would be, until I knew that I wanted to give this message to children. The message that there is no separation between us and our environment.”

2- Why a game?

“I realized that the best way for children to learn is by playing so I decided to take as inspiration a game that I know well: “la lotería mexicana” (Mexican bingo).

“La lotería” is in every Mexican home and it’s been a tradition for more than a century. The illustrations show a big part of the Mexican culture.

It is played by people of any age and any social background. 

There was a time where many in Mexico didn’t know how to read,  so it became a very popular game because of its iconographic cards. It even became a tool to learn how to read.

So I decided to make a Québécois version of the game. »

3- How did you chose the elements of the game?

« ‘I am the wolf’, ‘I am the moose’, ‘I am the snow’, ‘I am the maple leaf’ are some of the cards that you will find. There is also ‘I am the ice cream’, it exists because my 5 year old son asked me to add this card since he considers himself an ice cream. We are also what we eat! My son has been very involved in the project. I also included in the game a colouring book with some activities on empathy and kindness.”

4- How did you make the game unique?

“This project has many layers. It’s a game that intends to teach empathy thanks to the wisdom of a Mayan custom. Inspired by a Mexican game that I grew up with. You can discover a new language since each card is translated from the French to Spanish. The cards are each a tribute to Quebec.

There’s a twist too, when you pick up the ‘Je suis Toi’ card, each player has to change place with the player on the right. To put one self in the place of the other, sometimes you are about to win but it can change at any time, like in life. It is our reaction that matters. »

5- So this is an intercultural project?

“Indeed, I could say that this is also an inclusion project for me as an immigrant to the Québécois community. It is for this reason that it was conceived entirely in French, it is made in Montreal. 

Somehow I wanted to show my love and gratitude to the place that is now my home by blending the two cultures I am part of.”

6- How has the game been received by the Québécois communities?

“It’s been really great, since my launch in a local market in December 2019 the first edition has sold-out and the game is in some of the most unique shops in the city. I feel that they totally get me and understand the purpose and motivation of my work and most importantly the children love it and they want to play! That is what really validates my work.”

7- What is the next step?

“The printing of the second edition that will be translated into to English as well.

It’s going to be a trilingual game. Like my every day life living in Montreal!

Also I’m planning to do some workshops and demonstrations of the game in local libraries and shops, I’ll be posting more detailed information very soon.”

UPDATE: Considering the local guidelines regarding outings, events, etc, Je Suis Toi founder Veronica Alva, is now looking at other online options to continue promoting the Je Suis Toi game within children and adults that resonate with its message.

To find out more you can follow Je Suis Toi on fb & instagram