Birds or rivers on euro notes? Europeans can weigh in

FRANKFURT, Germany - The European Central Bank launched a survey Monday asking citizens to weigh in on the redesign of euro banknotes, with rivers, birds and European culture among the shortlisted themes.

"We want Europeans to identify with the design of euro banknotes, which is why they will play an active role in selecting the new theme," ECB president Christine Lagarde said in a statement.

The online survey, running until August 31, asks respondents to share their opinions on seven possible themes for the new notes.

These include "Birds: free, resilient, inspiring" and "Rivers: the waters of life in Europe", as well as more abstract ideas such as "The future is yours", "European culture" and "Our Europe, ourselves".

The ECB, which has also tasked a research company with asking a representative sample of euro area citizens the same questions, will announce the chosen theme next year.

A design competition will follow and Europeans will then again be asked to choose their favourite options for the euro bills, which come in six denominations.

The ECB will announce the final decision on the future design, and on when the new notes will be produced and issued, in 2026.

The Frankfurt institution announced in late 2021 that it wanted a fresh look for the 20-year-old banknotes.

The original design for the bloc's single currency was fraught with political tension, and ended up consisting of symbolic illustrations of architecture to avoid stirring national rivalries.

ECB officials have expressed the hope that by involving the public in the facelift, younger Europeans will feel more connected to the single currency.

Regularly updating banknotes is also necessary to stay a step ahead of counterfeiters "in a world where reproduction technologies are rapidly evolving", the statement added.

"We are working on a new series of high-tech banknotes with a view to preventing counterfeiting and reducing environmental impact," said ECB executive board member Fabio Panetta.

"We are committed to cash and to ensuring that paying with public money is always an option." In an interview last year, Lagarde said she could imagine Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci or pioneering French politician Simone Veil gracing the new bills as examples of "great, true Europeans". - AFP