Euro banknotes to get a new look next year

(Patria) - The European Central Bank (ECB) is preparing a new design for euro banknotes, and it seems that the recognizable motifs of windows and bridges that Europeans have seen on their currency for 21 years are going into history.

Windows and bridges will be replaced by one of seven designs unveiled by the bank on Monday. The new designs range from natural motifs such as birds or rivers to motifs of Europe's future, its values, and, according to the bank, a "common European identity," Politico reports.

The bank is opening a public debate for the eurozone in consultations that will last until the end of August. All citizens of the eurozone countries will be able to participate in a survey on the ECB's website. The ECB will also establish focus groups to ensure that "the opinions of everyone across the eurozone are equally represented".

"We are working on a new series of high-tech banknotes, and the idea is to prevent counterfeiting and reduce the environmental impact," said Executive Board member Fabio Panetta.

"We are determined to keep cash and we want payments in cash to always remain an option," he said.

However, the ECB will not leave things to chance and allow the public to truly choose the final design. The bank's Governing Council will do so next year.

Six of the seven proposals came from the Theme Advisory Group (TGA), a group of experts appointed by the ECB in December 2021. The Governing Council decided to add another proposal, "European culture," to strengthen European identity. The group was tasked with creating a story for each proposal, highlighting its value and what inspired it.

As in the previous competition, the group had to decide carefully so as not to hurt national sentiments by choosing themes or people associated with a specific country. That is why natural motifs of birds and rivers were chosen – they symbolize free movement without borders and the interconnectedness of European countries, the group said.

Birds almost won the previous competition two decades ago.

Other ideas in this year's competition include depictions of hands, symbols of Europe's common construction, as well as Europe's future, which would be symbolized by "portraits" of Europeans not yet born.

The ideas will definitely pose a challenge for ECB designers. Regarding the theme of "European values in nature," the bank itself admitted that "depicting these abstract, yet very important concepts on banknotes is truly an act of magic".

The expert group warned that the seventh proposal, "Our Europe, ourselves," could be misunderstood, as it is based on the idea of a common European cultural identity.