Paris's last newspaper hawker receives knighthood
What happened
The last remaining newspaper hawker in Paris has been honored with a knighthood. The recognition celebrates a disappearing profession that is considered a historic part of Parisian street culture.
Why it matters
- The newspaper hawker, Ali Akbar, is a 73-year-old immigrant from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, who arrived in France in 1973. - For over 50 years, he has sold newspapers, primarily Le Monde, from his bicycle in the 6th arrondissement, becoming a recognizable figure to locals and tourists. - The honor bestowed upon him by French President Emmanuel Macron is the National Order of Merit, one of the country's highest civilian honors. - Over his career, Akbar has sold newspapers to notable figures such as former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Elton John. - At the height of his career, Akbar would sell around 300 newspapers a day, a number that has now dwindled to about 40 due to the decline of print media. - When he began in the 1970s, there were approximately 40 newspaper hawkers in Paris; today, he is believed to be the last one. - In his speech, President Macron referred to Akbar as "the accent of the 6th arrondissement" and "the voice of the French press." - The tradition of Parisian newspaper kiosks, distinct from mobile hawkers, dates back to 1857 under Baron Haussmann's redesign of the city.
Key numbers
- - The newspaper hawker, Ali Akbar, is a 73-year-old immigrant from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, who arrived in France in 1973.
- For over 50 years, he has sold newspapers, primarily Le Monde, from his bicycle in the 6th arrondissement, becoming a recognizable figure to locals and tourists.
- At the height of his career, Akbar would sell around 300 newspapers a day, a number that has now dwindled to about 40 due to the decline of print media.
- When he began in the 1970s, there were approximately 40 newspaper hawkers in Paris; today, he is believed to be the last one.
Quick answers
What happened in Paris's last newspaper hawker receives knighthood?
The last remaining newspaper hawker in Paris has been honored with a knighthood. The recognition celebrates a disappearing profession that is considered a historic part of Parisian street culture.
Why does Paris's last newspaper hawker receives knighthood matter?
The newspaper hawker, Ali Akbar, is a 73-year-old immigrant from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, who arrived in France in 1973. For over 50 years, he has sold newspapers, primarily Le Monde, from his bicycle in the 6th arrondissement, becoming a recognizable figure to locals and tourists. The honor bestowed upon him by French President Emmanuel Macron is the National Order of Merit, one of the country's highest civilian honors. Over his career, Akbar has sold newspapers to notable figures such as former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Elton John. At the height of his career, Akbar would sell around 300 newspapers a day, a number that has now dwindled to about 40 due to the decline of print media. When he began in the 1970s, there were approximately 40 newspaper hawkers in Paris; today, he is believed to be the last one. In his speech, President Macron referred to Akbar as "the accent of the 6th arrondissement" and "the voice of the French press." The tradition of Parisian newspaper kiosks, distinct from mobile hawkers, dates back to 1857 under Baron Haussmann's redesign of the city.
