Ali Akbar, the last remaining newspaper hawker in Paris, has been selling papers for over fifty years, captivating residents and visitors alike with his catchy phrases and occasional comedic flair, making him a nostalgic emblem of a bygone era.
The Last Newspaper Hawker of Paris: A Living Legend
The Last Newspaper Hawker of Paris: A Living Legend
Ali Akbar, a 72-year-old newspaper hawker, brings charm and a dash of humor to the streets of Paris as he continues his unique vocation.
Among the artistic cafes and elegant shops of the St.-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood in Paris, a lively figure stands out as he carries a stack of newspapers. Ali Akbar, hailing from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, is not just any street vendor; he’s a charismatic man who gets great joy from his work, often punctuating his salesmanship with a jubilant shout of “Ça y est!” which translates to “That’s it!” This spirited cry has become his signature, resonating through the charming cobblestone streets of the city.
For over 50 years, Akbar has dedicated himself to hawking papers, a trade that has seen significant decline as digital media rises to prominence. Yet, he remains undeterred, often embellishing his pitches with playful fictional news. “Ça y est! The war is over, Putin asks forgiveness!” he declared during one of his recent sales, which sparked a mix of laughter and disbelief among passersby.
Frequenting renowned establishments such as the Café de Flore and Brasserie Lipp, Akbar has become a local fixture, synonymous with the rich fabric of Parisian culture. The profession he embodies reached its peak in the 1960s, a time when French New Wave cinema immortalized scenes of newspaper hawkers in iconic films. One such film, Jean-Luc Godard’s “Breathless,” features the character played by Jean-Paul Belmondo who, despite his best efforts, finds his charm waning in the presence of an American beauty.
In a rapidly digitalizing world, Ali Akbar stands as an emblem of resilience, a last bastion of a traditional trade that is slowly fading into memory. His infectious spirit and storytelling prowess have made him not just a vendor but a beloved character in the city of lights, bridging generations through the simple act of selling newspapers.
