Ruken Derik/JINHA

RIMÊLAN - In the city of Rimêlan, in the Rojava autonomous region in Syria, a group of children founded the Mountain Snow Children's Chorus to bring music to their lives.

The city of Rimêlan is part of the Cizîrê Canton of Rojava. It was children in the city, who said that they had no outlet to express themselves, who decided to form the Mountain Snow Children's Chorus. The chorus, which meets at the Aram Tikran Culture and Art Center, started out small. Music teacher Ahmet Şeyh Huseyin told us that while initially the chorus had too few numbers to work, things changed over the last six months.

"Now, our numbers have grown," said Ahmet Şeyh. The group has come up with four original compositions. Children get together three times a week for practice. "The children take their work seriously; they're disciplined. School is out now, so the children are here learning about their own culture."

"Our practices go really well," said Sida, who has been practicing music for three years and in the chorus for the last year. "I like music a lot and I can express myself."

The chorus members have plans to bring folk dancing, music and plays to the stage.

(fk/cm)