The two foremost foundations of the Armenian culture are the Armenian language and the Armenian Church. Together, they played an important role in preserving the national identity,creating the national culture and  in the literary education and development of scientific mind.

The Armenian language is an independent branch within the framework of Indo-European languages. The modern Armenian literary language has two branches: Eastern Armenian, used in the Republic of Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh and Iran, as well as Western Armenian, used by the Diaspora Armenians.

In the history of Armenian culture the singularly noteworthy phenomenon is the origination of the Armenian Alphabet created by Mesrob Mashtots in 405. The alphabet is still in use without undergoing alterations throughout many centuries of its existence. After the creation of the Armenian characters, the Armenian culture has had a great ascent giving birth to such literary giants as Grigor Narekatsi, Nerses Shnorhali, Mkhitar Gosh and many others. The first samples of printed Mesrobian characters were in 1486 at Meintz-city, in the published book of Breidenbach. The first printed Armenian book was by Hagob Meghabard in Venice, in 1512.

“I don’t know this ancient language, but I love it. I can feel the Orient in it. Through the Armenian language, the glimmering mystery of ancient centuries penetrate into me. I am proud to be translated into Armenian.” Victor Hugo

The Armenian Church, which is the oldest Christian church, is called the Apostolic Church of Armenia because it was found in the 1^st century directly with the endeavors of Christ’s disciples, apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew. Christianity was spread throughout Armenia from 290 to 301 by King Trdat the Third and Gregory the Illuminator. In 301 Christianity was declared the state religion in the mainland of Armenia,and  then called Mets Haik. In the life of the Armenian nation who have been persecuted for their religion for centuries, the Church played a colossal role in gathering together the dispersed powers, replacing the lost statehood, and preserving the national identity and culture. Until the 19^th century, the Armenian education, the Armenian culture and the scientific mind have taken the course and have developed by the endeavors and efforts made by the Armenian Church.

The Armenian culture is reflected throughout the Armenian architecture, khachkars (cross stones), art and crafts, literature, Armenian cuisine, and first and foremost, through its people. Armenia gave birth to many great scientific minds, historians, writers, painters, artists, composers and performers.