He walks from the cafés of Saint-Germain-des-Prés to the streets of the Latin Quarter every day, selling newspapers and shouting hilarious headlines. He came to France from Pakistan to escape poverty at the age of 20. He initially worked as a sailor and dishwasher in a restaurant.
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Ali Akbar, known to everyone in Paris, is now 73 years old. He is the last newspaper hawker in the French capital. He walks from the cafés of Saint-Germain-des-Prés to the streets of the Latin Quarter every day, selling newspapers and shouting hilarious headlines.
He attracts crowds with cheerful headlines like 'France is getting better!' or '(Eric) Zemmour converts to Islam!'.
From Left Bank intellectuals to tourists, everyone smiles at his presence . Amina Kisi, a waitress who has known him for 20 years, says, 'If Ali is not seen, tourists ask where he is.'
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that Ali Akbar will soon be knighted in national merit in recognition of his 'devoted service to France'.
Although Akbar felt this was unexpected, he responded by saying, "I think this is an appreciation of my courage and hard work".
A familiar looking Akbar with round glasses, blue jacket and gavroche hat mainly sells copies of Le Monde . Coming to France from Pakistan at the age of 20 to escape poverty, he initially worked as a sailor and dishwasher in a restaurant. Later, after meeting comedian George Bernier (Professor Choron), he got the opportunity to sell Hara-Kiri and Charlie Hebdo.
Akbar, who faced many difficulties in life, also became homeless for some time . Despite being attacked, he never gave up.
His younger son Shahab says, 'I am proud of my father, he is an inspiration not only for our family but also for Paris.'
In the 1970s, he started selling newspapers on the left bank of the Seine. In front of the prestigious Sciences Po University, he learned French, meeting students including former Prime Minister Edward Philippe.
From the 1980s, he started creating liberal headlines to make people laugh. 'I want to make people happy, so I make funny news', he says.
But he admits that it is difficult to come up with a good joke these days. 'Everything is so messed up', he said with a laugh.
Akbar, who receives a pension of one thousand euros a month, still goes out on the streets every day from 3 pm to 10 pm.
Initially, he sold 150-200 copies of newspaper daily. Now only 30 copies are sold on average . "As long as I have the energy, I'll keep working—even until I die," he quipped.
36-year-old Amel Ghali, a regular customer at a cafe, says, 'Ali is really inspiring. It is a blessing to see someone like him even in the digital age . Unfortunately, our children don't get to experience the joy of reading a newspaper with a coffee .'
Ali Akbar today is not just the last newspaper hawker in Paris, but a living symbol of overcoming adversity through courage, humor and positive energy.
