The European Central Bank has selected a banknote series by Finnish graphic designer Ville Tiet\u00e4v\u00e4inen among ten proposals competing to shape the next generation of euro notes. His designs follow European rivers from mountain springs to the sea, with birds, waterways and public buildings linking each denomination into one visual story.<\/p>\n
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The selection marks the final stage of an EU-wide design competition<\/a> that attracted more than 1,200 applicants.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n The ECB invited 25 designers to prepare proposals based on two themes chosen after public consultation. An independent jury then reduced the field to ten banknote series.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Finnish art historian Timo Huusko represented Finland on the jury.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Five proposals focus on European culture and shared cultural spaces. The other five use the theme of rivers and birds, presenting nature as a link between countries and regions.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Tiet\u00e4v\u00e4inen\u2019s entry belongs to the rivers and birds category.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n His series uses vertical layouts and places different birds and sections of a river system on each denomination. Lower-value notes begin near mountain streams, while higher-value notes move towards wider rivers, wetlands and the sea.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The reverse sides feature buildings linked to the European Union.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The ECB said Tiet\u00e4v\u00e4inen\u2019s series forms a continuous visual narrative.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The five-euro note begins near a mountain source. Each following denomination moves further downstream. The 200-euro note reaches the ocean.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The proposed five-euro note features a wallcreeper, a bird found in rocky mountain areas. The 20-euro design includes a European bee-eater, while other denominations show birds associated with rivers, wetlands and coastal habitats.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The locations do not represent specific European sites.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Competition rules required designers to avoid tying the imagery to one country or region. The approach aims to produce notes recognised across the euro area rather than national symbols linked to individual member states.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The other theme presents figures and subjects linked to European cultural history.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Several proposals include portraits of people such as composer Ludwig van Beethoven and artist Leonardo da Vinci. Other designs refer to music, science, libraries, museums and public gathering places.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The final ten entries use different layouts, colours, typefaces and security elements, while retaining the values and official markings required for euro notes.<\/p>\n
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