Toulouse 2026 : Raúl’s view (Day 1)

My name is Raúl Deamo and I’m from Barcelona. It is my third international symposium and my first one as a correspondent. I’m very happy to be here, in Toulouse. Gaël, Ivan and I are the three correspondents, people say to us “the three mosqueteers”. This is our outfit and the pieces of advice we got today:

Today is the first day. I get up early and go to cover a very especial meeting: the instructors meeting. A place where all the instructors and staff come together to meet each other. Here there are teambuilding activities and they exchange their ideas about teaching at the symposium.

After the meeting staff and instructors go on a guided tour by the city. This is called Faculty Tour. We split into three groups, mine is with Marina, a guide from Toulouse Tourist Office Information.

She knows a lot of history and we learn a lot about Toulouse and its roman origins. We visit Saint Sernin Basilique, Chapelle del Carmelites and Toulouse Capitole.

In these places we got enought time to enjoy, chat and sketch. Today is too hot (all the week there is a very hot wave) and we are always looking for shade and indoor cooler spots to sit and draw. At Toulouse Capitole I choose to sketch the awesome le Salle des Illustres. Here, people who is really from Toulouse can celebrate their wedding… and for free!

Near the Capitole we have lunch at Le Bibent restaurant: fancy place, tasty local cuisine and french wines. I spoke with some instructors and see each other sketchs while having lunch.

In the afternoon is the registration process. Meanwhile correspondents take our time to finish our sketchs and help Ivan recording a video of the content of the goody bags.

At 7:30pm in the big auditorium of Baudis Congress Center begins the opening reception.

Staff, local group, volunteers, correspondents and all the people who make this possible are speaking in the stage. There is a recognition for the sponsors also. We learn some tips and typical things from Toulouse.

After the ceremony we all drink, eat, chat with old friends and new ones. And after all day sketching a lot of people sketch now… yes, we are all addicted!