ALI ça y est, 28gennaio24
Ali, the legendary newsagent of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
The day I discovered that Ali was the newsagent in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood, I was deeply moved. Despite being over 70 years old, he continues to carry out his work with passion and dedication. A man who, in a corner of Paris steeped in history, has always brought joy. He was even honored with a mural on Rue du Four, which unfortunately no longer exists, as it was replaced by a new building.
If you walk through the streets of Saint-Germain, you can’t help but see him passing by. He calmly rides his bike, with his bag full of newspapers, stopping at the bars and restaurants in the neighborhood to sell with a contagious smile and a joke. His presence is almost an institution: an icon who has made Saint-Germain his home, a symbol of the Parisian cheerfulness that fascinated me so much.
One episode I remember with affection is when his bike was stolen. But the next day, he already had another one, ready to continue his journey. This act perfectly represents Ali’s attachment to his work, and in a way, to the neighborhood he has always loved.
Every time he entered my restaurant, he brought with him a surge of positive energy that managed to infect everyone. He never missed the chance to crack a joke, and on several occasions, we laughed together saying “ça y est,” especially when discussing delicate issues. A way of facing difficult topics with lightness and irony, always ready to bring a smile.
I was fascinated to watch the elderly Parisians buy a newspaper from Ali. I would see them complain about the often heated political news, with a sense of resignation that seemed to be part of the daily routine. In those moments, the constant tension of French politics was palpable, a tension that seems to never leave Paris, but with Ali, it almost became part of the daily life of the neighborhood.
“I chose Django Reinhardt ‘Minor Swing’ as the soundtrack for this article, as his music perfectly reflects the frantic spirit of Paris .”
Ali walked all around Saint-Germain-des-Prés, passing through Rue de Buci, Rue du Four, Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots, and approaching Rue Ciseaux, going by all the restaurants and bars in the neighborhood. Ali is known by everyone in the area and considered a local star. His presence in these streets was unmistakable, and the atmosphere in the neighborhood was even more intense with him around.
The photo I took outside the Pizza Vesuvio restaurant, where I worked, shows Ali spontaneously posing for me. In his hand, he holds a newspaper with Macron’s face and the phrase ” l’heure de la vérité.” The scene captures the lively spirit of Paris, a place that deeply impressed me, but with Ali, it took on an even more unique dimension.
ALI ÇA Y EST
