La Réole on the front of the (left) political scene for a weekend. The Place publique party, co-chaired by MEPs Raphaël Glucksmann and Aurore Lalucq, has in fact chosen the town of just over 4,000 inhabitants to make its political comeback. Saturday October 5 and Sunday October 6, conferences, discussions, signings, film debates and round tables will animate La Réole (1).
Several personalities from the left will participate in these Meetings. We note the presence of the mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo, the former Minister of Transport Clément Beaune, the ecologist Yannick Jadot and the president of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region Alain Rousset.
Different spaces in the heart of the town
If the choice of La Réole was quite obvious for Place publique, which wishes to get out of the metropolises – Mayor Bruno Marty is supportive – the event requires very specific logistics. We do not organize political meetings in the same way in a convention center or in a big city as in a small rural town. “This requires us to reinvent ourselves,” concedes Sandrine Hernandez, event coordinator and member of the political council of Place publique.
“We cannot accommodate 1,500 people intramural in guest rooms”
La Réole will almost see its population increase by half: between 1,500 and 2,000 participants are expected, not counting the hundred or so speakers. Several sequences will be organized at the same time in around ten sites (Place Michel-Dupin, priory, media library, etc.) to dispatch the participants. “The formats have been adapted according to the spaces,” specifies the coordinator. The round tables will take place on Place Rigoulet and the town hall esplanade, the lighting with one or two voices and discussions with participants in the Public Garden.
“The town has many quality spaces, accessible only to pedestrians or easily secure, this has simplified the organization. » The perimeter of the pedestrian zone will be extended for the weekend. In total, 60 to 70 volunteers will ensure the smooth running of the event. “The City welcomes these meetings as it does for other associations,” specifies the mayor.
Homestay accommodation
We have to house all these people. Accommodations were quickly snapped up on Airbnb or Booking, some accommodations are still available around ten kilometers away. Place publique has provided a list of accommodation in the area, reserved group accommodation and even created a Facebook group connecting participants and residents with available beds. Raphaël Glucksmann and Aurore Lalucq will also be staying with locals in La Réole. At Mayor Bruno Marty’s? “Secret defense”.
“We cannot accommodate 1,500 people intramural in guest rooms. The Réolais lodgings are taken. Some will stay in Marmande, Langon or Bordeaux and will come by train,” continues the councilor. A carpooling platform was also designed especially for the event. “We used all possible resources,” summarizes Sandrine Hernandez.
(1) Meeting program and online registration.
