© hagiasophiacat on Instagram via hagiasofiaturkey.com
Pre-Reading Questions:
- What places have you been to?
- What would you like to have as a pet?
Vocabulary:
- basilica /buh-SIL-i-kuh/
[noun] –a public building in ancient Rome that was round at one end and had two rows of columns supporting the roof, or a large church with a similar design
The king was buried in the Basilica of Saint Denis in northern Paris, where his body stayed until 1793.
- shelter /SHEL-ter/
[noun] –to protect yourself from bad weather, danger, or attack:
The boys took shelter from the storm inside an old truck.
- sensation /sen-SEY-shuhn/
[noun] –something very exciting or interesting, or something that causes great excitement or interest
The group became a sensation overnight.
- wonder /WUHN-der/
[verb] –to ask yourself questions or express a wish to know about something
I wonder who that message was from.
- delighted /de-LAHY-tid/
[adjective] –very pleased
The grandparents were delighted at the sight of their first grandchild.
Turkey’s Hagia Sophia went through several changes throughout its history. It was built in the 6th century as a traditional basilica, then it became a royal mosque, to a museum. The historical structure has been home to different religions, cultures, and artifacts. But this famous landmark in the heart of Istanbul also serves as a home to a charming cat named Gli, a favorite among many tourists and locals alike.
Gli is one of the many cats that found shelter in the spaces of Hagia Sophia. Gli is a tabby cat with green crossed eyes. She became a sensation when world leaders Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Barack Obama were seen petting her during the latter’s state visit. The photos made it to the headlines in 2009.
Umut Bahceci, a tour guide, made an Instagram account showing Gli’s everyday life at the museum. In her bio, it reads: “My land is Hagia Sophia. I’m a celebrity cat. They call me Union of Love. You can tag my beautiful pics.” The account has more than 80,000 followers and 600 posts as of July 2020. Tourists adore Gli’s charms. They take photos with her and tag her on Instagram. Umut shares, “I started noticing Gli every time I went (to Hagia Sophia) because Gli was posing for people like a model. I get messages such as, ‘Gli, we will come to Istanbul to see you.’ This is truly a very nice feeling.”
A decree from Prime Minister Erdogan to turn the museum back into a mosque was signed earlier in July. This is a meaningful event for people who are hoping to pray inside this historic monument. However, the decision made people wonder if Gli and the others could still stay in the spaces of Hagia Sophia. Plenty of questions appeared in local newspapers and social media. Will Gli have to leave her home?
Fortunately, Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin informed the media that all the cats in the area do not have to be relocated. “That cat has become very famous, and there are others who haven’t become that famous yet. That cat will be there, and all cats are welcome to our mosques”, Kalin said. With this good news, Gli and the others can continue to reside in the place where they were born. Her fans will surely be delighted!
Comprehension Questions:
- Where is Hagia Sophia located?
- How many followers and posts does Gli have on her Instagram account?
- Who made the Instagram account dedicated to Gli?
- When was the decree signed?
- What did the President’s Spokesman say about the cats of Hagia Sophia?
Discussion Questions:
- In your opinion, why do people like Gli to remain in the historic Hagia Sophia?
- What do you think is the reason why Gli has a lot of followers on her social media account?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of traveling?
- What are the famous tourist spots in your country?
- What are the cons of keeping a pet?
[noun] –a public building in ancient Rome that was round at one end and had two rows of columns supporting the roof, or a large church with a similar design
The king was buried in the Basilica of Saint Denis in northern Paris, where his body stayed until 1793.
[noun] –to protect yourself from bad weather, danger, or attack:
The boys took shelter from the storm inside an old truck.
[noun] –something very exciting or interesting, or something that causes great excitement or interest
The group became a sensation overnight.
[verb] –to ask yourself questions or express a wish to know about something
I wonder who that message was from.
[adjective] –very pleased
The grandparents were delighted at the sight of their first grandchild.
Gli is one of the many cats that found shelter in the spaces of Hagia Sophia. Gli is a tabby cat with green crossed eyes. She became a sensation when world leaders Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Barack Obama were seen petting her during the latter’s state visit. The photos made it to the headlines in 2009.
Umut Bahceci, a tour guide, made an Instagram account showing Gli’s everyday life at the museum. In her bio, it reads: “My land is Hagia Sophia. I’m a celebrity cat. They call me Union of Love. You can tag my beautiful pics.” The account has more than 80,000 followers and 600 posts as of July 2020. Tourists adore Gli’s charms. They take photos with her and tag her on Instagram. Umut shares, “I started noticing Gli every time I went (to Hagia Sophia) because Gli was posing for people like a model. I get messages such as, ‘Gli, we will come to Istanbul to see you.’ This is truly a very nice feeling.”
A decree from Prime Minister Erdogan to turn the museum back into a mosque was signed earlier in July. This is a meaningful event for people who are hoping to pray inside this historic monument. However, the decision made people wonder if Gli and the others could still stay in the spaces of Hagia Sophia. Plenty of questions appeared in local newspapers and social media. Will Gli have to leave her home?
Fortunately, Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin informed the media that all the cats in the area do not have to be relocated. “That cat has become very famous, and there are others who haven’t become that famous yet. That cat will be there, and all cats are welcome to our mosques”, Kalin said. With this good news, Gli and the others can continue to reside in the place where they were born. Her fans will surely be delighted!