![TOPSHOT - Members of a traditional music and dance group perform at the first cultural centre to open since the Islamic State (IS) group's rule ended in the eastern Syrian city of Raqa on May 1, 2019. More than a year after Islamic State group jihadists fled, Syrian boys and girls are back on stage bobbing to the rhythm of drums in the northern city of Raqa. Sunlight floods into a brand new libraryat the cultural centre where books line shelves along a wall that still smells of wet paint. / AFP / DELIL SOULEIMAN](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CXVKO3NHSBR4ZMJAQYCKOOHVHA.jpg?smart=true&auth=6e5bd1bda480098b901fb563a2f161799cdf20c90a205f55e18cdf8097faaa9a&width=400&height=225)
Members of a traditional music and dance group perform at the first cultural centre to open since ISIS fled the eastern Syrian city of Raqqa. AFP
Members of a traditional music and dance group perform at the first cultural centre to open since ISIS fled the eastern Syrian city of Raqqa. AFP
The arts breathe new life into the city of Raqqa in north Syria
The Raqqa Centre for Arts and Culture has a library, a gallery and a concert hall