Tsawwar… Issam Chorrib
The Last Dance
"The attached image captures the raw atmosphere of a local boxing gym in Casablanca. Through this shot, I wanted to highlight the quiet dignity of the fighters and the intensity of their daily routines. Within these humble spaces, the energy and discipline of the athletes transform the gym into a sanctuary of hope and expression. the image is part of a long-term photography project I began in 2023 titled The Last Dance, which focuses on the boxing scene in two of Casablanca’s most intense neighborhoods: Sidi Moumen and Lahraouiyine. Often labeled as rough or forgotten, these places hold something powerful beneath the surface. In small, humble gyms, young fighters train with limited resources but limitless determination. Boxing here is not just a sport; it’s a language of survival. These neighborhoods have already produced more than three world champions, a testament to the greatness that can rise from unlikely places. The title captures the emotional tension – the grace and grit, the poetry and pain – all playing out in and out of the ring."
Issam Chorrib is a Moroccan documentary photographer and artist based in Casablanca. His work primarily explores social issues, memory, and the intersection of sports culture and urban identity. Through his lens, Issam seeks to document the human condition and honor the spirit of communities that fight every day, with or without gloves.
Tsawwar is an ongoing visual series in Daftar which explores the stories behind a photograph, taken in the region or by an Arab photographer, written in their own words.
