The European Central Bank is preparing to unveil a new series of euro banknotes, with one design for the €20 note set to feature the renowned Polish Nobel laureate, Maria Skłodowska-Curie. However, controversy has erupted in Poland after it emerged that her name will appear simply as “Curie” on the note, omitting her Polish surname, Skłodowska, which she retained after marrying Pierre Curie.

“This should not be overlooked. Poland has few global icons, and Maria Skłodowska-Curie is someone we can proudly claim,” said MEP Janusz Lewandowski in an interview with Gazeta Wyborcza. Economist Rafał Mundry echoed this sentiment on social media, asking whether Poland should formally lobby for the full name to be restored.

The ECB, which is redesigning the euro notes for the first time in two decades, announced earlier this year that two thematic concepts—European culture and connection with nature—had reached the final stage of consideration. The reverse side of the new notes will feature symbolic imagery such as schools, universities, rivers, and mountain landscapes, while the front will depict prominent historical figures including Maria Callas, Ludwig van Beethoven, Miguel de Cervantes, Leonardo da Vinci, Bertha von Suttner, and Maria Skłodowska-Curie.

Adding fuel to the debate, Gazeta Wyborcza pointed out inconsistencies in how names are treated across different language versions. While the Polish scientist’s name has been Gallicised to “Marie Curie,” other figures such as Miguel de Cervantes and Ludwig van Beethoven have retained their original forms. “Cervantes hasn’t suddenly become ‘Michael’ for the English, nor has Beethoven turned into ‘Louis’ for the French,” the paper noted.

Source: European Central Bank, Gazeta Wyborcza, Interia

Photo: Media Library – Embassy of France

Tomasz Modrzejewski