Kazakhstan officially inaugurated a street in the center of its capital, Astana, named after Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian alphabet, during a ceremony on November 21, 2025, that brought together senior officials from both Armenia and Kazakhstan, deepening cultural ties between Armenia and Kazakhstan, reports Armenpress.
Armenia was represented by Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan and Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan. Kazakhstan’s delegation included Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin and Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva, along with other officials. The opening coincided with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s November 20 to 21 official visit to Kazakhstan and fulfills the reciprocal cultural initiative agreed upon by the two countries in recent years.
Mesrop Mashtots, the fourth and fifth century Armenian linguist, theologian, and statesman, created the Armenian alphabet around 405 AD. His invention became a cornerstone of Armenian national identity and cultural preservation. Mashtots is also believed to have contributed to the development of the Caucasian Albanian script and possibly the Georgian script, though the latter remains disputed. Kazakh officials highlighted his enduring contributions to literacy, culture, and identity across the region, underscoring the lasting impact of his work. His legacy endures as one of the most influential in Armenian history.
In her remarks, Minister Balayeva highlighted the symbolic importance of honoring Mashtots in Kazakhstan’s capital. “Today’s event is a symbol of friendship between our two nations,” she said. “Mesrop Mashtots’s legacy shows that culture begins with language, and societal progress begins with education. Kazakhstan and Armenia enjoy a strong friendship, and this year marks the 33rd anniversary of our diplomatic relations.” She noted that the two countries were also signing a memorandum to deepen cooperation in museums, libraries, and cinematography.
Minister Andreasyan described the moment as a milestone in Armenian-Kazakh cultural relations. “Mesrop Mashtots is not only a pillar of Armenian cultural identity but also a contributor to human civilization,” she said. “His legacy forms an invisible bridge that connects generations through education and historical memory. I believe this street opening marks a new beginning in our cultural and educational partnership.”
Armenia and Kazakhstan are expected to sign three memoranda of cooperation in the field of culture covering cinematography, library development, and museum activities during the visit. In addition to the cultural agreements, more than a dozen documents on cooperation across various sectors are planned to be signed today, further strengthening the partnership between the two countries.
The naming of the street follows discussions between the countries’ leaders during Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Armenia last year. As part of a reciprocal initiative, Yerevan’s City Council voted in April 2025 to name a park in the Avan district after Kazakh poet and literary figure Abai Kunanbayev. During Tokayev’s visit, both sides agreed on reciprocal cultural recognition, including naming the street in Astana after Mesrop Mashtots and honoring Kunanbayev in Yerevan.
Prime Minister Pashinyan’s agenda in Astana also includes meetings with President Tokayev, Prime Minister Oljas Bektenov, and Mäjilis Chairman Erlan Qo?anov, as well as visits to Astana Expo, the Alem.ai International Artificial Intelligence Center, and the National Museum of Kazakhstan.
