(CNN) -- These pictures were taken within one week of each other in the center of Aleppo and show the incredible resilience of some of its residents in the face of Syria's bloody civil war. Photographer Issa Touma's home in the historic area of Aleppo has been badly damaged by gunfire. Yet, amid the crossfire between opposition and government forces, Touma is still organizing the international photography festival he holds every year. Touma, who owns a gallery in Aleppo, has been running the exhibition for 11 years and was determined that the show would continue despite fighting reaching the center of the city on August 19. The festival was due to open on September 15.Civil war reached center of Syria's second city one month before photo festival due to startOrganizer Issa Touma's own home was destroyed in gun fighting11th annual photo festival continued on smaller scale despite fighting
"All around _ is war and more and more people are coming to the center."