SÎLVA AL-ÎBRAHÎM

Manbij- The Culture and Art Center in Manbij Canton of North and East Syria offers young people opportunities to discover their talents by organizing painting, theatre, music and dance courses. Those who attend the courses exhibit their talents by participating in cultural activities in the canton and other cantons.

‘I dream of playing the violin on the stage’

13-year-old Lava Halil has been attending a violin course at the center for six months. “The Culture and Art Center of Manbij Canton offers us this opportunity so that we can discover and develop our talents,” she said, noting that children and young people can learn how to play different musical instruments such as guitar and oud at the center.

“I work hard to be good at playing the violin. I dream of playing the violin on the stage. Since the center was opened, we have seen girls carrying musical instruments in the streets. Children and young people, who want to develop their talents, go to the center.”

‘Our aim is to support young people and children’

18-year-old Fatima Zahraa Al- Halil is one of the members of the center. “Those who are interested in playing any musical instruments can go to the center and learn how to play them,” she said. “Our main aim is to support young people and children to discover their talents. The center also organizes painting, theatre and dance courses.”

‘The center gives us an opportunity to revive our heritage’

The center also organizes a course to teach Dabke, a folk dance particularly popular among Arabs. 16-year-old Sidra Al-Ali attends this course. “I decided to attend this course after seeing young women attending the course,” she said. “The center gives us an opportunity to revive our heritage.”