City Cats of Istanbul

For cat lovers everywhere, these wonderful photographs highlight the felines who inhabit the streets of Istanbul, a city famous for its love of cats.

This stunning photobook delves into the lives of the thousands of cats that roam the streets of Istanbul. The photographs show the unique personalities of these street cats, each with its own story and charm. From lounging on cobblestones and shop fronts, to perching on colourful market stalls, the cats appear in a variety of urban settings, offering a glimpse into the vibrant spirit and culture of Istanbul and its local inhabitants. The book explores how the feral cats of Istanbul are represented in various media, with social media, notably TikTok and Instagram, a particular medium through which Istanbul’s cats have gained widespread popularity.

The historical and contemporary cultural significance of cats in Turkish society is presented in essays by the photographer Marcel Heijnen, haiku by Ian Row, and even first-person accounts written from the perspectives of the cats themselves – all interwoven with Marcel’s beautiful photography. Marcel Heijnen has lived in Asia for over half of his life. After long periods in Singapore and Hong Kong, he is now living in Amsterdam. His previous books include Shop Cats of China and Shop Cats of Hong Kong.