OREANDA-NEWS. For Gerdau, to promote education through culture is one of the ways of contributing to the sustainable development of the communities where it operates. That is why the Company, through the State Law for Cultural Incentive, sponsored the Winter Festival of Ouro Preto and Mariana - Arts Forum 2013 and the 26th Winter Cultural Festival of Sao Joao del Rei, which also includes the cities of Divinopolis, Sete Lagoas, and Ouro Branco, which are all in the state of Minas Gerais. The events provide these communities with the

opportunity to have access to various cultural attractions, as well as offer training workshops in segments such as music, art, literature, and dance. Well-known artists of Brazilian popular music such as Oswaldo Montenegro, Ney Matogrosso, Alceu Valenca, and Milton Nascimento also performed during the festivals. The initiative was directed by the Gerdau Institute, which is responsible for the Company’s social responsibility policies and guidelines.