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7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 OCTOBER 2026 COMMERCIAL Step into the world of villains this Halloween at Esplora THIS Halloween, Esplora Inter- active Science Centre in Kalka- ra is getting a wicked makeover as it transforms into the Villain Academy — an immersive ex- perience where science, exper- imentation, storytelling and Halloween come together for an adventure the whole family can enjoy. The Halloween programme was unveiled during a press event at the science centre, opened by Senior Director Mary Ann Cauchi, who highlighted the organisation's commitment to making science engaging, ac- cessible and fun for audiences of all ages. "At Esplora, we want science to be something people experience, question and enjoy. Villain Academy shows how cre- ativity and storytelling can open new doors to scientific discovery, transforming Halloween into an opportunity for families to exper- iment, explore and learn togeth- er. It reflects our commitment to creating engaging STEAM expe- riences that spark curiosity and make learning memorable for audiences of all ages." From 31 October to 4 No- vember, between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm, visitors are invited to enrol as recruits at the Villain Academy and enter a world of mysterious experiments, daring missions and scientific surpris- es. They will take on challenges, solve puzzles and discover the science behind spectacular ef- fects inspired by villainous char- acters and stories. Presenting the programme, Esplora Deputy Director Kiki Mizzi provided an overview of the range of activities planned, including science shows, themed workshops and hands-on exper- iments designed to encourage visitors to investigate, exper- iment and put their scientific skills to the test. "Villain Acade- my lets us turn the science cen- tre into a world of mystery and mischief. From strange experi- ments to unexpected challenges, every activity has been designed to make visitors part of the story and leave them wondering what could possibly happen next." Highlights of the programme include Sinister Science and Frankenstein's Lab, as well as a range of activities specially de- signed for younger scientists. Through these experiences, visi- tors will delve into chemistry and the human body, experiment with inventive ideas and take on practical challenges. The Villain Academy offers families a different way to expe- rience Halloween, where a little bit of evil meets curiosity, crea- tivity and learning. Rather than simply being spectators, visitors become part of the adventure and play an active role in the ex- periments and challenges. The event was closed by Min- ister for Justice, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima, who spoke about the importance of encouraging curiosity and inter- est in science, research and inno- vation from an early age. Minister Grima explained that the activity brings together entertainment and science in a creative and im- mersive way, offering children an engaging and enjoyable opportu- nity to explore and learn. He said that "Esplora places a strong em- phasis on learning through expe- rience, encouraging children to ask questions, experiment, make mistakes and try again. With this initiative, what we want to leave children with is not simply an answer, but a new question. In doing so, we are encouraging them to think creatively, remain curious and discover things for themselves." Whether visiting with fami- ly or friends, Esplora's Villain Academy promises hands-on science, unexpected discoveries and plenty of Halloween fun. The Villain Academy runs from 31 October to 4 November, be- tween 10:00 am and 5:00 pm, at Esplora Interactive Science Cen- tre, Kalkara. Lidl Malta launches cancer awareness campaign together with action for Breast Cancer Foundation PLACING employee and com- munity wellbeing at the heart of its mission, Lidl Malta has launched its October Cancer Awareness Campaign. Build- ing on its long-standing part- nership with the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation, and working alongside the Can- cer Research Innovation HUB Malta and Da Vinci Hospital, this year's initiative reinforces the core belief that proactive education and early detection save lives. Rather than focusing solely on corporate giving, Lidl Malta's campaign addresses the practical realities of pre- ventative care. By combining direct medical access for its team members with accessible public resources, the company aims to foster a lasting culture of self-care, value, and health literacy. "Our employees are the core of our business, and their health and peace of mind will always be our primary pri- ority," said Owen Micalef, Lidl Malta Director. "Having partnered with the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation over many years, we know that awareness is on- ly truly impactful when it is backed by accessible action. By offering fully funded screen- ings to our staff and bring- ing mobile health units to our shoppers, we want to deliver meaningful value to our people and show genuine support for the community we serve. "Partnering with the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation during October's Breast Can- cer Awareness Month is a vital step for Lidl. By bringing breast health education directly in- to the workplace, Lidl can en- sure that life-saving awareness reaches everyone, reinforcing the message that every indi- vidual's health matters," said Esther Sant, Chairperson for Action for Breast Cancer Foun- dation. Putting team members first To ensure its +550 employ- ees are genuinely supported, Lidl Malta is offering all team members direct access to ful- ly funded medical screenings provided by Da Vinci Hospi- tal. Female team members will have access to complimentary Mammogram 2D and Breast Ultrasounds, while male staff will be provided with key pre- ventative laboratory tests. In addition, Lidl Mal- ta is collaborating with the Cancer Research Innova- tion HUB Malta to deploy a mobile health unit across four Lidl store locations throughout October. These store-based units will offer free preventative screenings and health advice directly to Lidl shoppers and store team members alike. A dedicated session will also take place at the Lidl Head Office and Logistics Centre in Naxxar. The full schedule and further details are available at lidl. com.mt.