The ECB received a total of 1,200 sketches but ultimately narrowed down the list of ideas to two thematic directions — European culture and European nature. The first group includes personalities who have made a significant impact in the history of art, music, science, and literature. The second group features rivers and birds, symbols of European biodiversity and the need for its protection, reports "Euronews." **ECB Opens Voting** The ten finalist projects were presented by ECB President Christine Lagarde, who urged Europeans to actively participate in the selection of the new banknotes. Voting can be done [here](https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/banknotes/future%5Fbanknotes/html/index.en.html). Each of the two themes has five different designs developed in various graphic styles: some are more modern and minimalist, while others are closer to the depicted characters and objects. **Six Key Figures in History** If the culture-themed direction wins, some of the most influential figures in European history will appear on the new banknotes. The 5 euro note will feature opera singer Maria Callas. The 10 euro note will be dedicated to German composer Ludwig van Beethoven, while the 20 euro note will honor Nobel laureate in physics and chemistry Marie Curie. The 50 euro note will depict Cervantes, the author of "Don Quixote," one of the most important novels in world literature. The largest denominations will be dedicated to two iconic figures of European thought: Leonardo da Vinci on the 100 euro note and Bertha von Suttner, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, on the 200 euro note. **Birds — Symbols of Europe** An alternative option focuses on nature. Each banknote features a view of a European bird against a river landscape, while the reverse side shows images of key EU institutions. The series includes a wallcreeper next to the European Parliament, a kingfisher with the European Commission, a bee-eater with the ECB, a white stork with the Court of Justice of the European Union, a wryneck with the European Council and the Council of the EU, and finally, a northern fulmar with the European Court of Auditors. After the consultations are completed and the winning project is determined, the ECB will move on to the technical stages of preparing the issuance of new banknotes. According to the editorial board of bb.lv, it is very disappointing that famous people from Latvia are not represented on the proposed banknotes... And the choice of birds is also lacking...