INTERVIEW. Captain Théobald, director of the Tarn-et-Garonne Citizen Rally: “Transmission is what carries us”

There were more than a thousand young people, coming from all the establishments of Tarn-et-Garonne, to participate in the Citizen Rally, Tuesday May 12, 2026, at the Jacques-Chirac sports complex, in Montauban. Director of the event, Captain Théobald (1), departmental correspondent for the Youth and Citizenship network at the departmental military delegation, is delighted with this success.

From 100 to 1,000 participants in four years, what has changed in the approach to sustain this rise?

The reputation of the rally played a big role. It was the students themselves who spoke about it to those around them. The involvement of national education has also been decisive, with a growing number of defense classes in the department. There are more than twenty of them today, in middle and high school. Our principle is to never refuse and not to limit participation. The establishments organize themselves as they wish, but the students are all volunteers. On the partner side, we select patriotic associations and actors who share our commitment values. It’s a complex job, but this year, we reached 76 stands for 117 teams.

Why did you leave the teams free to choose their route rather than imposing a circuit?

Because we trust young people. This freedom to choose their strategy develops in them abilities that are sometimes restricted elsewhere: team spirit, initiative, the principle of commitment. The idea is to serve as a citizen and committed actor. Every year, we work around a common thread. Two years ago, it was the Olympic Games. This year, the theme is centered on self-health.

Has the event reached maximum capacity or do you want to grow further?

It’s true that there can be saturation, especially at the partner level. The logistical challenges are real. But if all the conditions are met, I will always be happy to welcome more people. Transmission is what carries us.