In the year 405, the monk Saint Mesrop Mashtots created the Armenian alphabet. It has been in use ever since, and in 2005, it was commemorated by the Armenian government with a 39 piece sculpture of all its letters, on permanent display in Byurakan, Armenia, close to the grave site of Saint Mesrop Mashtots.

Wim Wenders took a photograph of the sculpture during his travels through Armenia in 2008. Wenders: "(Monument for an alphabet) moved me a great deal. Armenia is a small country without access to the sea, without natural resources. They have nothing aside from their apricots. At some point it became clear to me that this country has only lasted thanks to its alphabet. Without its own script, this culture would have been lost."