Ali Akbar: Paris's Last Newspaper Hawker Bringing Joy Through Creative Headlines

Ali Akbar, originally from Rawalpindi in northern Pakistan, has become a beloved fixture in the heart of Paris as the city's last remaining newspaper hawker.

Every day, the 73-year-old travels from café to café in the upscale Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, amusing locals and tourists alike with his creative, humorous headlines.

"France is getting better!" he announces with enthusiasm, or sometimes more provocatively, "Zemmour has converted to Islam!" - referring to the controversial far-right presidential candidate from 2022.

In the intellectual hub of Paris's Left Bank, Akbar has achieved legendary status. Amina Qissi, a waitress who has known him for over two decades, remarks that "Even the walls could talk about Ali." She adds that regular tourists specifically ask about him when he's not visible in his usual spots.

French President Emmanuel Macron plans to honor Akbar's contributions by appointing him as a knight in the national order of merit for his "dedicated service to France." This recognition surprised Akbar, who modestly suggests, "I believe it's related to my courage, because I've worked hard."

Recognizable by his round spectacles, blue work jacket, and Gavroche cap, Akbar primarily sells copies of the French daily Le Monde. His journey to becoming a Parisian icon began when he arrived in France at age 20, seeking to escape poverty and support his family in Pakistan.

Before finding his calling as a newspaper vendor, Akbar worked as a sailor and dishwasher in Rouen. His big break came when he encountered humorist Georges Bernier, known as Professeur Choron, who offered him the opportunity to sell satirical publications like Hara-Kiri and Charlie Hebdo.

Akbar's life has been marked by significant hardships, including periods of homelessness, extreme poverty, and even physical attacks. Nevertheless, he has persevered with remarkable resilience.

His son Shahab, the youngest of his five children, expresses immense pride in his father's accomplishments and carefully documents the numerous profiles about him in international media.

When Akbar began his career as a hawker in the 1970s, he strategically chose the Left Bank area, which was predominantly a university district where students could "eat cheaply." He recalls learning French through interactions with students who later became influential figures in French politics, including former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe.

Paris once had approximately 40 newspaper hawkers stationed at strategic locations like metro entrances. Akbar distinguished himself by adopting a mobile approach and focusing on the Latin Quarter. During the 1980s, he began creating his signature sensational headlines.

"I want people to live happily. I do it to create a good mood, that's all," he explains about his creative approach, though he admits finding it increasingly challenging to develop good jokes in today's complex world.

Despite receiving a monthly pension of 1,000 euros ($1,175), Akbar continues working daily from 3 PM until 10 PM. His sales have significantly declined over the years - from 150-200 newspapers per day in his prime to approximately 30 today.

With characteristic humor, he declares, "As long as I've got the energy, I'll keep going. I'll work until I die."

For many Parisians like 36-year-old Amel Ghali, Akbar represents something precious and increasingly rare. "It's inspiring to see it in the digital age," Ghali notes wistfully. "Unfortunately, our children won't experience the pleasure of reading a newspaper with a coffee."