The Shirinov family are natives of the village of Boyuk Marjanli in Jabrayil district of Azerbaijan. Back in 1993, during the First Karabakh War, they were forced to flee due to the Armenian occupation. For many years, this village, like some other villages and districts of Azerbaijan, was under the occupation of the Armenian armed forces. Almost 30 years later, during the 44-day Patriotic War, the Azerbaijani army liberated its territories. The village of Boyuk Marjanli was among the first territories liberated from the occupation.
An employee of Report's Mugan Bureau of Report met with members of this family, who lived longing for their home, their native land, for so many years.
The Shirinovs live in a settlement for internally displaced persons in the Bilasuvar district.
According to the head of the family, Mustafa Shirinov, before they were resettled to the village, they lived in a tent camp for refugees and internally displaced persons, where it was very hard and they had to endure many inconveniences, especially in household: “When we were moved from the tent camps to the village, It became much easier for us. We were able to engage in cattle breeding, farming. But the hope of returning never left us. When the Azerbaijani army liberated the village of Jojug Marjanli in 2016, our hopes increased, because the village of Boyuk Marjanli was located very close to this village."
According to family member Elnara Shirinova, the residents of Boyuk Marjanli can’t wait to return to their native village: “But now, thanks to the state, our village will be transformed, it will be a beautiful, comfortable and modern village. Memories, traditions, old photos will return with us. Probably, the souls of those who couldn't see this day will also rejoice with us. I think that even after all the internally displaced persons return to their native lands, all these refugee settlements will be preserved, because now it is also part of our history."