Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, names central street after Armenian Saint Mesrop Mashtots

Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, named a street in the central part of the city after Saint Mesrop Mashtots, the Armenian linguist and theologian who invented the Armenian alphabet in the early 5th century.

The inauguration of the street took place during Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s official visit to Kazakhstan.

The ceremony was attended by Armenia's Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva, and other officials.

"Today is an important and meaningful event, marking the friendship between the two countries,” said Balayeva. "Mesrop Mashtots’ work demonstrates that culture begins with language, and the development of society begins with education. Kazakhstan and Armenia have strong, friendly ties. This year, we are marking the 33rd anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Over these years, there have been significant achievements in political, economic, cultural, and other fields. Today, a memorandum of understanding will be signed aimed at developing cooperation in the fields of museums, libraries, and cinematography."

Armenia’s Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan hailed the event as a new chapter in the history of cultural cooperation, friendship, and mutual respect between the two nations.

"Mesrop Mashtots is not only one of the foundational pillars of the spiritual and cultural identity of the Armenian people, but also one of the most important figures in human civilization. The legacy he left behind has passed down to us, from the depths of centuries, the invisible bridge of education, culture, and historical memory. Armenia and Kazakhstan, with their histories, the heritage of their thinkers, and their aspirations for the future, have always had complementary cooperation. I am confident that the opening of Mashtots Street is a new beginning for cooperation in the fields of culture and education between the two countries," said Andreasyan.

Earlier this year, the Armenian capital of Yerevan named a park near Alma-Ata Street in the Avan district after Abai Kunanbayev, the renowned Kazakh poet and composer, and the founder of Kazakh literature.