The Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) has selected the candidate designs for the illustrations of future euro banknotes. The ECB Governing Council will take a final decision on the designs in 2026 and the new banknotes will be ready to be put into circulation a few years later.

The decision was based on the proposals provided by two multidisciplinary advisory groups from across the euro area and is in line with the preferences on the issues expressed by more than 365,000 Europeans in public surveys conducted in the summer of 2023 and in focus groups conducted between December 2021 and March 2022.

The process resulted in two possible themes of future euro banknotes: “European culture”, focusing on common cultural sites and prominent Europeans, and “Rivers and birds”, focusing on the resilience and diversity of the natural world.

“European culture” celebrates the shared cultural spaces that have shaped European identity over the centuries. The motifs of this theme depict various cultural activities and sites, as well as iconic European personalities who have contributed to building Europe’s cultural heritage. Among them is Maria Callas.

“Rivers and Birds” highlights the resilience and diversity of Europe’s natural ecosystems, showing different stages of rivers and different species of birds, emphasising the importance of nature and environmental protection.

On the occasion of the presentation of the new designs for the euro banknotes , Bank of Greece Governor Yannis Stournaras said the following:

“The ECB Governing Council’s decision on the designs of the future euro banknotes confirms our commitment to ensure that euro banknotes and coins continue to be widely available, accessible and acceptable both as a means of payment and as a store of value. They will also continue to be innovative, secure and environmentally friendly. The patterns chosen reflect our commitment to the European vision, our common cultural identity and our commitment to protecting the environment.

The selection of Maria Callas among the six leading personalities of European culture nominated to adorn the new euro banknotes is a great honour for our country and a source of pride for all Greeks as members of the European family.

Her artistic journey began in Greece, but her identity was shaped in Europe, where she traveled, lived and worked.

Maria Callas admittedly revolutionized opera as she combined her unparalleled voice with her high acting skills, which combined the tradition of ancient Greek tragedy with the emotional intensity of 19th century opera in Europe.

Both Maria Callas’s voice and her fictional life also brought opera closer to the general public, beyond the circles of the initiated and those fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to hear her on the great lyric stages of Europe and the world.