Visitors to the next Spiel Essen will be welcomed by the fair’s own mascot and they are being invited to suggest a name.

Playful, curious, welcoming and joyful – these are the qualities of the orange tabby kitten created by well-known game illustrator and author Michael Menzel and shared by the world’s largest board game fair. The subsidiary of Spielwarenmesse eG is now looking for a name for the mascot and wants to involve the game community’s fans in the search.

Last year, Spielwarenmesse eG took ownership of the biggest public fair for board games in the world after having been directed by Bonn by Dominique Metzler for many years. The event, which will run from the 5th to 8th October, is held at the Essen exhibition centre.

Carol Rapp, managing director of Merz Verlag, which now organises the fair, explained the background to the new whiskered addition: “What could be more synonymous with games than a cat? They lie around in game boxes, are curious and playful, and elicit emotion.”

It is hoped that the mascot will further increase game fans’ identification with the fair. Michael Menzel, one of the best-known illustrators in the board game world, is behind the design. The artist first visited Spiel 20 years ago and is still amazed by the size, visitor numbers and positive energy.

Illustrator Michael Menzel

“I feel incredibly honoured to have been given the opportunity to illustrate the mascot for this event,” he said. “I really hope that people will associate it in the future with their fantastic experiences at the fair.”

Given their strong connection with “their” Spiel, it is important that the fans also play a part in naming the cat. Everyone with a special bond with the fair is now called upon to submit ideas, be that on social media, by email or via contact form. The Spiel team will review the submissions and then ask fans to pick their favourite name from among the most suitable suggestions.