Ali Akbar, now 72 and a fixture on the Left Bank, is set to receive France's prestigious Order of Merit from President Emmanuel Macron next month in recognition of his years of dedicated service as a newspaper hawker. Having sold papers in the heart of Paris for over five decades, Akbar observes the industry’s decline but remains undeterred, relishing his independence and the community connections he's built.
Born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Akbar first arrived in Europe in the late 1960s, eventually settling in Paris and establishing himself among local cafés and streets. In an era where digital media dominates, he reflects nostalgically on his earlier years when he sold up to 80 copies of Le Monde in just the first hour of release. Now, he manages to sell only about 30 copies a day, meeting friends and familiar faces rather than chasing customers.
Despite the challenges of his profession and the transformation of Saint-Germain into a tourist hotspot, Akbar's spirit remains unbroken. He often shares joyous anecdotes of his life, including meeting artistic icons and forming bonds with notable figures, including Macron himself during his student days. He lovingly describes a neighborhood that once thrived with intellectual vibrancy but now feels devoid of its former essence.
As he prepares to accept the honor, Akbar embodies a living piece of Parisian history, regarded as a symbol of the past in an ever-changing world. The upcoming ceremony not only highlights his dedication to newspaper culture but also serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of personal connections in an increasingly digital era.
Born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Akbar first arrived in Europe in the late 1960s, eventually settling in Paris and establishing himself among local cafés and streets. In an era where digital media dominates, he reflects nostalgically on his earlier years when he sold up to 80 copies of Le Monde in just the first hour of release. Now, he manages to sell only about 30 copies a day, meeting friends and familiar faces rather than chasing customers.
Despite the challenges of his profession and the transformation of Saint-Germain into a tourist hotspot, Akbar's spirit remains unbroken. He often shares joyous anecdotes of his life, including meeting artistic icons and forming bonds with notable figures, including Macron himself during his student days. He lovingly describes a neighborhood that once thrived with intellectual vibrancy but now feels devoid of its former essence.
As he prepares to accept the honor, Akbar embodies a living piece of Parisian history, regarded as a symbol of the past in an ever-changing world. The upcoming ceremony not only highlights his dedication to newspaper culture but also serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of personal connections in an increasingly digital era.
