A stunning video of a young Azerbaijani man with babies in China has caught the attention of social media users.
Oku.Az the hero of that video, our compatriot residing in the People’s Republic of China With Igrar Mammadov He contacted him and interviewed him. We present that interview:
– Mr. Igrar, how did we get to know you?
– I’ll start with tradition – Igrar Ilham oglu Mammadov. I was born on June 14, 1995 in Baku. I am currently 29 years old.
Aslim is from Goychay district. In 2000, due to my father’s job, we moved to Orekhovo-Zuyevo, Russia. I went to school in that city in 2001. In 2007 we returned to Goycha and I continued my studies in the Russian section of school number 3 of that district. In 2012 I entered the Faculty of Aviation Safety Engineering of the National Aviation Academy.
– I wonder why you didn’t want to work in the aviation field.
– In fact, I worked as an inspector at Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) for four years. There were night shifts on the schedule, so I had health problems. That’s why I decided to quit my job.
– Have you been in military service?
– Yes, after graduating from the academy in 2016, I entered military service. I served as an operator at the radar station of the military unit “N” of the Air Force in the Zira settlement.
– Mr. Igrar, how did you get to China?
– It all started in 2019 when my wife (we had just met that day before) entered university in Nanjing, China.
He had won a complete package, including free tuition, a scholarship and a free room on campus to study at the master’s level. But at that time, due to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus in the world, due to China closing the roads, my friend could not go and had to continue his education in absentia.
When the China Airlines ban was lifted in 2023, the university informed my husband that he could come and continue his studies.
That day the date of our engagement was set. As they say, luckily everything coincided and we had to prepare the necessary documents for the visa to China, in addition to taking care of the engagement and wedding matters.
I think it was one of the most difficult, stressful and memorable eves for us. We got married in May 2023 and received our visa that same month. Imagine, we got married on June 18 and on the 21st we went to China.
– Let’s go to the main topic. What can you say about that video you shared on social media, showing that children don’t want to leave you?
– That video was taken by my assistant in the garden where I worked, as a memory. It is a very emotional memory for me. He had a very close relationship with the children, he tried to treat them like an older brother. To be honest, it wasn’t easy for me to leave them. The children’s tears and their unwillingness to let me go showed that this closeness was mutual.
– What did you teach the children?
– I was teaching English to kindergarten children in a way they could understand. I tried to teach them simple expressions, colors, shapes, numbers and basic words for communication. We sing a lot of songs and play games. My goal was not only to teach a language, but also to create a positive attitude towards learning in children, overcome their fear of learning a new language and encourage them to learn a language in the future. I used a creative approach that included songs, games, stories and simple skits to get them to look forward to each lesson.
– Why did you decide to leave your job as a teacher and work in logistics?
– My contract with Bagcha was for one year and I was not planning to extend it, frankly. The reason was that I wanted to try myself in the field of logistics and I had already received several offers in this field. In fact, it was very, very difficult for me to make that decision. I was very close to the children, spending time with them every day and seeing their development gave me great joy. It wasn’t easy to separate from them because I had formed a very deep bond with each of them. However, the desire to evaluate new opportunities and try myself in a new field prompted me to take this step.
– I wonder how you learned Chinese in such a short time.
– I’m still learning Chinese. In the first months, I mastered the basic knowledge necessary for daily communication. It takes time to fully learn this language. That’s why I keep learning.
– Mr. Igrar, what is the first thing required to work in China?
– To work in China, a work visa is first required. For this, it is important that the employer prepares the necessary documents to hire you and apply for the visa process. Having knowledge of English and having some experience in your field is also a positive factor. This factor will help you both to find work and to adapt to Chinese culture. I should point out that China does not grant citizenship to foreigners under any circumstances.
– If it’s not a secret, what do your parents do?
– My father is a cook and my mother is a housewife.
– What are Mr. Igrar’s three main recommendations to those who want to come to China?
– First, you need to learn the language. At the very least, learning basic phrases will make your daily life easier, since there are very few English speakers here.
The second main issue is respect for Chinese culture. Because this culture is ancient and unique, it is beneficial for everyone to learn and respect the local customs.
Finally, my third recommendation is to be open to food culture. The food in China is different, but trying the local cuisine helps you understand the country better.
– How long do you plan to stay in China?
– I’m thinking about staying as long as possible, because my life and my family are here. Even a three-month-old dog, named Benjamin, joined our family. (laughs)
However, whenever I have the opportunity, I try to go to Azerbaijan and visit my parents, family and friends.
– What or who do you miss most in your homeland?
– I miss my mother, my father, my brothers and their laughter the most. Then I miss the simple gatherings shared with friends, the noise of the familiar streets, those native landscapes that I remember from childhood. For me Azerbaijan is not another country, it is my homeland. My childhood memories, my past, my roots… it’s all there. No matter how far away I am, those feelings always make me feel close to my homeland.
– Mr. Igrar, let me ask you one last question: what is something you cannot get used to and accept in China?
– Mrs. Aziza, in China it is possible to get used to everything, except for the sports activities that are carried out in groups in the parks first thing in the morning. (laughs) I’m surprised every time I see it. Seeing older people dancing in parks early in the morning is confusing. Let me say this to make it clearer: just as mornings in Azerbaijan begin with tea, here they begin with dancing. I think I still have a lot of time to get used to it. (laughs)
Aziza Ismayilova
