Brussels, 21/04/2011 (Agence Europe) -European Opera Days are held every year on the weekend closest to Europe Day, 9 May. The fifth in the series were launched in Brussels by Peter De Caluwe, General Director of la Monnaie/De Munt (Brussels) on 20 April. During European Opera Days, opera houses throughout Europe issue an invitation to all those curious to discover this art. On 7-8 May 2011, 103 opera houses from 23 countries will take part in the event. This year, the focus is on “Young Ears”, with activities specifically designed to appeal to children and young people, for newcomers and for opera lovers ready for new experiences. Addressing the press, Culture Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said that the Days were “an excellent cultural initiative that is truly European in nature” and repeated her commitment to “strengthening EU support for the cultural and creative sectors in the new financial framework, and making this support as effective and relevant as possible to the sector's needs”. For further information, go to: http://www.operadays.eu (G.B./transl.rt)