Ali Akbar, aged 72, reflects on his remarkable 50-year journey selling newspapers on the Left Bank as he prepares to accept one of France's highest honors, the Order of Merit, from President Macron.
Ali Akbar, France's Last Newspaper Hawker, Honored by President Macron
Ali Akbar, France's Last Newspaper Hawker, Honored by President Macron
France’s beloved newspaper hawker receives the Order of Merit as a symbol of cultural heritage.
Paris's Left Bank is home to many iconic sights, but none stands out like Ali Akbar, the last remaining newspaper hawker in France, and possibly Europe. After half a century of selling newspapers, Mr. Akbar is set to receive the Order of Merit, a prestigious award given by President Emmanuel Macron, who himself frequented Mr. Akbar's corner during his university days.
At the age of 72, Mr. Akbar reminisces about his earlier days when there were as many as 40 hawkers in Paris back in 1973. "Now I am the last,” he reflects, noting how the digital age has diminished the demand for print media. The number of newspapers sold per day has plummeted from 80 copies in just one hour to around 30 on a good day. "People now prefer checking their phones,” he laments.
Yet Mr. Akbar remains undeterred. Driven by a passion for his work, he shares, “I am a joyous person. And I am free. There is no one giving me orders. That’s why I do it.” A staple of the Saint-Germain neighborhood, customers applaud his vibrant personality and rapport with locals.
Originally from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Mr. Akbar arrived in Europe during the late 1960s and found his place on the streets of Paris by selling newspapers. He quickly became a beloved figure among the community, often recounting tales of interactions with celebrities and influential figures of politics and literature found along the Left Bank.
Despite witnessing the transformation of the neighborhood into a tourist haven, Mr. Akbar maintains a humorous outlook. "The soul has gone," he muses, but does so with a smile, as he continues his dedicated work, cherishing every interaction and every sale. With the Order of Merit on the horizon, he finds joy not just in the work itself, but in the rich memories and connections forged along the way.
