2014-11-26
Dr. Vydas Dolinskas: Euro banknotes are witness to Lithuania historically being part of the European cultural and artistic tradition
During the lecture, which was delivered at the Euro Exhibition on November 20th, the Director of the National Museum Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Dr. Vydas Dolinskas, presented the history of the design of euro banknotes, elements characteristic of architectural epochs and styles featured on banknotes of different denominations, their most distinct forms.
Euro banknotes feature architectural styles from seven periods in the history of European culture: Classical, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo, 19th c. steel and glass, and modern 20th c. architecture. According to Dr. Dolinskas, the euro banknotes, which reflect so many epochs, are also witness to Lithuania and the Palace of the Rulers being part of the European culture and artistic tradition in historical terms.
V. Dolinskas told the many participants of the event that a contest for the design of euro banknotes was announced in 1996. For the design of euro banknotes, two possible subjects were selected: epochs and styles in Europe, modern design. It was also decided to avoid any national exclusiveness or accentuation. Therefore, the elements depicted on the euro banknotes have been created; they are not real buildings or their elements.
29 graphic designers or designer groups from different countries in Europe presented their works for the euro banknote contest, while Robert Kalina from Austria became the winner. The graphic designer presented works with both subjects; however, the series with the epochs and styles in Europe was selected. Thus it is the elements created by R. Kalina that the euro banknotes feature today. The windows and gates on their front are the symbols of the spirit of openness, while the bridges on the back — mutual cooperation of European nations and cooperation between Europe and the world.
“If the series featuring abstract, modern art would have won the contest, the money to be shortly introduced in Lithuania would look quite different”, noted Dr. V. Dolinskas, who demonstrated sample euro banknotes which were not selected for the contest, featuring butterflies, bees, abstractions, other elements, at the lecture.
The lecture “The History of Architecture in Euro Banknotes” is part of the cycle of the Euro Exhibition events for introducing the Lithuanian public to the euro. The exhibition will be open until 5 January 2015. Admission and all events are free.