Charity

Charity programs overview for 2006

For several years Severstal fruitfully cooperates with the largest Russian museums and theaters. The Company’s representatives are members of the Boards of Sponsors of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theaters, the State Tretyakov Gallery (Moscow) and the State Russian Museum (St. Petersburg). In every theatrical season, the Company sponsors one of the new theatrical performances and organization of tours, as well as supports organization of exhibitions and displays in the museums.

In September 2006, Severstal supported a festival named Dedicated to Shostakovich held by Bolshoi Theater of Russia to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the great Russian composer Dmitry Shostakovich. The project presented Bolt, Golden Age ballets and Lady Macbeth of Mtsensky County opera, which were also sponsored by Severstal.

In 2006, the Mariinsky Theater, also supported by Severstal, went on several tours. In June 2006, the Mariinsky Theater performed William Forsythe ballets in the famous Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., which became one of the greatest achievements of the ballet company in the recent years, as well as Adolphe Adam’s Giselle. In October 2006, the Mariinsky Theater orchestra toured several large American cities from Seattle to Washington D.C. and New York. In November 2006, the Mariinsky Theater presented a performance on the stage of the renowned Music Academy of Santa Cecilia (Italy) together with the Academy’s choir and orchestra. During the tour, the Mariinsky Theater performed the Gambler opera, the Seventh Symphony by Shostakovich and Boris Godunov by Mussorgsky. The Company also supported White Nights Stars festival (St. Petersburg) and Fifth Easter Festival (Moscow).

Throughout the year of 2006, as part of the program to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the State Tretyakov Gallery, Severstal supported a number of initiatives aimed at developing the museum as an object of special value belonging to the Russian cultural heritage, in addition to financing the traditional exhibition projects of the Museum. In particular, Severstal supported photography of the ancient Russian art display, the treasury and the Saint Nicholas museum-cathedral in Tolmachi. High quality albums of the State Tretyakov Gallery were published in April 2006.

In 2006, Severstal supported the comprehensive long-term program of cooperation between the State Russian Museum and various museums from Russian cities called ‘Russia’, and financed the exhibition of Mikhail Vrubel’s works.

Developing the modern charity distribution schemes, in 2006 Severstal, in partnership with UK-based Charities Aid Foundation, had held an open contest for small grants for non-commercial modern culture organizations.

One of the most important Severstal charity projects in 2006 was the Road to Home project, developed in cooperation with Cherepovets city administration since 2003. The project is aimed at the support of orphans and homeless children.

In 2006, in addition to sponsoring theaters and museums, Severstal’s divisions North America and Lucchini following the well-established tradition of providing charitable support to the children of the world’s poorest countries, as well as donations to the Italian and American animal protection funds (Corporate National body for Animals Protection, Friends of the Rouge). SNA has been actively involved in both community and environmental causes, from an extensive tree planting program in the community to support for school programs.

In total, Severstal spent approximately $17 million on charity projects in 2006.

In June, 2006 Severstal announceed the launch of “Museums of the Russian North”, a new charitable program aimed at supporting fine arts museums. The company is working jointly with the Russian branch of the British Charities Aid Foundation (CAF Russia). For more information see the file attached.

Find more information about charitable projects of Severstal on the brochure “Severstal: social and cultural projects. 2004-2006” (in PDF-format).

Contact information
Klary Tsetkin 2/3, Moscow RU127299, Russia
Darya Pivovarova
Tel. +7 (495) 540 77 66/67
E-mail: charity@severstalgroup.com