Legendary Greek opera singer Maria Callas has been shortlisted to appear on the next series of euro banknotes, with the European Central Bank (ECB) unveiling proposed designs for the future notes. €
Among other famous Europeans culture personalities, Maria Callas has been selected as the proposed face of the €5 banknote under the theme “European culture.”
Other European culture personalities on the list are Ludwig van Beethoven (€10), Marie Curie (€20), Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (€50), Leonardo da Vinci (€100) and Bertha von Suttner (€200).
The ECB also presented designs based on a second theme, “Rivers and birds,” and launched a public consultation inviting people across the European Union to comment on the proposals until September 21.
The shortlisted designs emerged from an EU-wide competition that attracted more than 1,200 applications from graphic designers. Twenty-five designers were invited to submit proposals, which were assessed by an independent jury of 21 experts.
The ECB’s Governing Council is expected to select the final design concept by the end of 2026, taking into account the jury’s recommendations, technical assessments and the results of public surveys.
One of the shortlisted designers of the “European culture” theme is Greek designer Myrsini Vardopoulou (Design E), who has designed several Greek postage stamps, including one commemorating the centenary of the singer’s birth in 2023.
All design proposals at at the ECB website HERE, where the public can also vote for the design proposals.
