One significant characteristic of the Malta-Sicily Windsurf Race has been the blending of cultural and trade activities along with the sports programme - in the 20-year span that the event has been held, between 1984 and 2004, such initiatives included photographic exhibitions, cocktails presentations, a beer night and even a seminar involving the Chambers of Commerce of Malta and Ragusa.

This year as part of the Pozzallo Race's 20th anniversary programme the attraction will be an exclusive art exhibition with a specific theme - "Faces of Africa".

The 25-piece "Roadshow" exposition by Maltese artist C.S. Lawrence will be held at the Istituto Rogasi in Pozzallo, Sicily between September 12-19.

However a preview viewing of the exhibition is being held at the Casinò di Venezia in Vittoriosa and will be open for general viewing between August 27-30. Michael Frendo, Minister of Foreign Affairs is inaugurating the preview. Also present will be the mayor of Pozzallo, Dott. Roberto Ammatuna, who is coming to Malta for the occasion.

C.S. Lawrence, of Maltese and Irish descent, was born in East Africa in 1957 and spent a considerable part of her life in Africa, mainly in Nairobi and Mombasa. She studied art at St Martin's School of Art in London and in 1994 held her first exhibition in Bahrain, which was subsequently followed by other successful presentations in Dubai, Kuwait, England and Saudi Arabia. Last year C.S. Lawrence held her first solo exhibition in Malta, presenting four particular themes: the Knights of Malta, local farmhouse courtyards, religious images and of course, her exquisite oriental interiors.

The Malta-Sicily Windsurf Race - 20 Years After is sponsored by the Bank of Valletta, Globalair Travel and Tourism, S. & D. Yachts Ltd, the Casinò di Venezia, and H2 Only purified drinking water. This special edition of the Pozzallo Race, scheduled for the third week of September, is also going to be used as a platform to raise money in aid of the Park of Friendship, Ir-Razzett Tal-Hbiberija.