Yerevan/Mediamax/. Co-Chair of Aurora Prize Selection Committee George Clooney visited Yerevan Brandy Company and Tumo Center for Creative Technologies in Yerevan on April 22.

George Clooney together with Co-Founder of the Aurora Prize Ruben Vardanyan were joined by many other special guests as they toured the ARARAT Museum and acquainted themselves with this integral component of the heritage and culture of Armenia.

Guests were particularly moved by learning the story of Markar Sedrakyan, the legendary Master Blender of the Yerevan Brandy Company.  A survivor of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, he used the most painful experience of his early life to build upon his inner strength and achieve great success in both his professional and personal life.

"It is a great privilege to welcome the distinguished guests of the Aurora Prize to the Yerevan Brandy Company, one of the great landmarks in this city situated beneath the arches of Mount Ararat - an imperishable symbol of rebirth and new life”, said Igor Arakelyan, Chief Operating Officer of Yerevan Brandy Company, a Partner of the inaugural ceremony of the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity.

Joined by Ruben Vardanyan and TUMO founders Sam and Sylva Simonian, George Clooney took a tour of the Tumo Center for Creative Technologies, listened to a music session and took a few selfies with the students.