The Bulgarian National Bank reminds all European citizens that they have the opportunity to cast their vote for the design of the upcoming series of euro banknotes until Monday, September 21. The initiative is organized by the European Central Bank, which back in July proposed ten concepts for the future look of the currency, explicitly inviting Europeans to share their opinions through a large-scale online survey.

By the middle of last August, the number of participants in the poll had already exceeded eight million people, as confirmed in a media interview by Doris Schneeberger, Director of the Banknotes Directorate at the ECB. The ECB Governing Council is expected to make a final decision on the design choice by the end of this year. This selection will be based on a combination of several important factors, including the conclusions of an expert jury, a technical assessment, and the results of two parallel studies: the public survey conducted and a separate study carried out by an independent company among a representative sample of eurozone residents. The results of both surveys will be made public after the project is finalized, which underscores the institution's commitment to maximum public participation.

The ten selected proposals included in the shortlist for voting are based on two different themes:

  • European culture: Europe's cultural heritage through iconic figures (Leonardo da Vinci, Ludwig van Beethoven, Maria Callas, etc.).
  • Rivers and birds: symbols of freedom, unity, and our connection with nature.

The designs were selected after a pan-European competition in which over 1,200 graphic design specialists participated, with 25 of them being directly invited to present their ideas. ECB President Christine Lagarde emphasizes that banknotes are not just a means of payment, but one of the most significant symbols of Europe, combining aesthetics and meaning to strengthen our common identity. In a Facebook post, Lagarde added that every vote matters in shaping a product that belongs to all of us. Public opinion is of great importance, as the new banknotes will be part of our daily lives for many years to come, and according to the BNB, many of the landscapes in the "Rivers and birds" theme can also be recognized as references to the nature of Bulgaria.

The new series of banknotes is expected to enter real circulation in the coming years. It is important to note that the current banknotes will retain their value and will remain in use alongside the future ones. As BTA points out, this is the first complete change in the design of the European currency since its introduction in 2002. The deadline for participating in the online vote is Monday, September 21.