The European Central Bank (ECB) has completed an important stage in the process of updating the euro design, presenting the results of a public vote in which 365 thousand European citizens took part. Based on the results of the survey, two main concepts for the future design of banknotes were selected, euro-pulse.ru reports.

The first concept, called "European Culture", involves placing portraits of outstanding figures in European art and science on the banknotes. Thus, the 5-euro note will feature Maria Callas, the 10-euro note - Beethoven, the 20-euro note - Marie Curie, the 50-euro note - Cervantes, the 100-euro note - Leonardo da Vinci, and the 200-euro note - Bertha von Suttner. The back of the banknotes will be decorated with scenes from European cultural life.

The second concept, “Rivers and Birds: Resilience in Diversity”, takes a more nature-based approach. The front of the banknotes will feature birds and stylized river landscapes, while the back will feature iconic buildings of the European Union, including the European Parliament.

The next stage will be a competition among designers from EU countries, whose works will be assessed by a special jury and put to a final public vote. The entire design update process is planned to be completed by 2026, after which the date of issuing the new banknotes into circulation will be announced.

Let us remind that the euro is the official currency in 20 of the 27 countries of the European Union. The current design of the banknotes is characterized by images of architectural elements representing various European styles, while all the objects depicted are collective images and do not exist in reality.