In the stylish St.-Germain-des-Prés area of Paris, Ali Akbar can be spotted with his stack of newspapers and his signature smile, a staple of the city for over half a century. Originally from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Akbar isn’t just selling papers; he entertains with playful quips like, “Ça y est! The war is over, Putin asks for forgiveness!” making Parisians chuckle amidst their daily hustle.
As the last remaining newspaper hawker in France, Akbar’s role seems almost a relic of a bygone era. The art of newspaper hawking was peaking back in the 1960s, famously depicted in the film “Breathless” when Jean Seberg proclaimed “New York Herald Tribune!” while strolling the Champs-Élysées. While today’s digital age is phasing out this charming profession, Akbar stands as a testament to the power of persistence and joy, keeping the culture of street news alive in Paris.
