Paris, August 5, 2025: In a rare and heartwarming recognition, Ali Akbar, a 73-year-old newspaper vendor originally from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, is set to be awarded one of France’s highest civilian honours for his decades of service to Parisian street culture.
Having arrived in France in 1973, Akbar began selling newspapers in the Latin Quarter, a historic district known for its universities, literary cafés, and bohemian spirit. Armed with a ready smile, boundless energy, and a charming sense of humour, he became a beloved figure among students, professors, and café regulars.
This September, President Emmanuel Macron will confer upon Akbar the title of Knight of the National Order of Merit, an honour awarded to individuals — civilian or military — who have rendered distinguished service to France.
Akbar first started by selling the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo outside the Sorbonne, gradually expanding his reach throughout the Latin Quarter. Even as television and later digital media eroded the market for printed newspapers, Akbar remained committed to his craft.
“I just love the feel of paper,” he told local media. “I don’t like tablets and all that kind of stuff. But I do like reading. Real books. Never on screens.”
He added, “I try to make jokes so people laugh. I create a positive atmosphere… I try and get into people’s hearts, not their pockets.”
Now believed to be the last street-walking newspaper vendor in Paris, Akbar sells around 20 copies of Le Monde in eight hours — a far cry from past decades. Still, he continues to ply his trade, saying he’ll only stop when his health no longer permits.
In a neighbourhood increasingly dominated by luxury fashion and upscale restaurants, locals credit Akbar with preserving the district’s authentic character.
“Ali is an institution,” said Marie-Laure Carriere, a longtime customer. “I buy Le Monde from him every day. But it’s more than that — we have coffee, sometimes lunch. He’s part of our daily life.”
Akbar’s upcoming honour not only celebrates his remarkable journey from Pakistan to Paris but also stands as a tribute to the enduring spirit of street culture and human connection in a digital age.
