Every year, the Haute-Garonne Departmental Council organises various initiatives to promote secularism and the values of the Republic. Known collectively as ‘Chemins de la République’ (Paths of the Republic), these highlights throughout the year are aimed at all audiences, offering innovative activities designed to promote learning, discussion and community spirit.
For this third edition of “Libérons les crayons”, from 7 to 31 January 2026, the Departmental Council of Haute-Garonne is joining forces with the municipalities of Auterive, Pechbonnieu and Blagnac to offer new workshops to secondary school pupils. With the help of the cartoonists from RABASTIGNOUS and the association Dessinez, Créez, Liberté, students will discover how press cartoons can help express ideas, understand current events and see the world differently.
On the occasion of the 11th anniversary of the attacks on Charlie Hebdo, Cartooning for Peace’s exhibition ‘Le dessin de presse dans tous ses États’ (Press cartoons in all their forms) is on display on the railings of the Henri Guillaumet secondary school on Allée des Mûriers. It offers a glimpse into the work of press cartoonists, pacifist critics of the ills of our societies, who are regularly the target of attacks around the world.
Through the beneficial medium of laughter, they are nevertheless the courageous guardians of press freedom and help to preserve the health of our democracies when it is threatened.
See the full programme (in french):
‘Freedom of expression: 10 years on, what remains of the Charlie spirit?’ Cabu, Charb, Honoré, Tignous, Wolinski, Elsa Cayat, Bernard Maris, Mustapha Ourrad, Franck Brinsolaro, Frédéric Boisseau, Michel Renaud and Ahmed Merabet.
These names remain synonymous with courage and freedom. 7 January 2015 is an opportunity for us to look back on this anniversary and reflect on the profession of press cartoonists and, more broadly, journalists during the round table discussion “Libérons les crayons” (Free the pencils) on Friday 17 January 2025, which can be watched again on video.
