Ali Akbar, known as France's last newspaper hawker, will be honored next month by President Emmanuel Macron, receiving the prestigious Order of Merit. Akbar, 72, has been an essential part of Paris's Left Bank for half a century, famously selling newspapers while engaging in friendly chatter with locals. "When I started in 1973, there were about 35 of us hawkers. Now, I am all alone," he shared, reflecting on the decline of traditional newspaper sales due to the digital age.
Once bustling with customers eager for the latest news, his sales have dropped significantly from the 80 copies he would sell before noon to a mere 30 these days, as people prefer accessing news on their smartphones. Despite the challenges, Akbar's passion for his work endures: "I am a joyous person, completely independent, and that’s why I continue," he stated.
Born in Rawalpindi and traveling through Europe, Akbar became a familiar sight in Saint-Germain, forging connections with locals over the years. He reminisces about his interactions with celebrities and intellectuals, noting the vibrancy of the neighborhood in past decades, now diminished and overtaken by tourism. "The soul has gone," he said with a laugh, yet remains dedicated to his calling as a paper hawker in the heart of Paris.
