**Ukraine to Redesign New Banknote Following Controversy Over Font Association**
The National Bank of Ukraine has announced plans to redesign the lettering on its recently introduced 2,000-hryvnia banknote amid backlash regarding its typography, which some designers claim is reminiscent of a font created by a Russian designer. This banknote, valued at approximately $45, is notable for being Ukraine's highest-denomination bill and features the image of celebrated Ukrainian poet and dissident Vasily Stus.
The decision to revise the banknote's typography was made public on Monday, following discussions within the design community that highlighted concerns about the potential associations with Russian culture. The central bank emphasized that all graphic elements on the banknote were originally drawn manually and that no third-party fonts were utilized. However, in light of the controversy, the bank has committed to altering the inscription to eliminate any unintended connections to Russia.
Andrey Pyshny, the governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, stated that the banknote "must be impeccable in every detail." He acknowledged the discussions among professionals regarding the calligraphy used for the denomination and noted that the style had been linked to a typeface associated with a Russian designer. Pyshny expressed that even the mere possibility of unwanted associations warranted a redesign.
This move aligns with Ukraine's broader efforts to distance itself from Russian influence, particularly in the wake of the ongoing conflict that escalated in February 2022. In recent years, the Ukrainian government has intensified its campaign to purge Russian language and culture from public life. This has included the removal of monuments and symbols linked to Russia, as well as the expansion of mandatory Ukrainian language use in schools and state institutions.
In December 2022, Ukraine's parliament took significant steps by stripping the Russian language of its protections under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Earlier this year, the government established a legal framework for a comprehensive ban on Russian literature, paving the way for the removal of such works from circulation.
The campaign against Russian cultural symbols has also seen the dismantling of monuments, including that of renowned novelist Mikhail Bulgakov. The statue of Bulgakov, who is celebrated as one of the greatest novelists of the 20th century and was born in Kiev, was removed last month from outside the Bulgakov Museum in a historic district of the capital. This action is part of a larger initiative to eliminate monuments and cultural landmarks associated with Russia and its Soviet past.
Despite these efforts, the Russian language remains widely spoken across Ukraine, and Russian-language media continues to thrive. The Russian government has repeatedly cited the protection of Russian speakers and the restoration of their language rights as key conditions for any potential peace settlement.
The controversy surrounding the new banknote underscores the sensitivity of cultural symbols in Ukraine, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict with Russia. The National Bank's decision to redesign the banknote reflects a commitment to ensuring that national symbols resonate positively with the public and align with the country's current political and cultural landscape. As Ukraine continues to navigate its identity amidst external pressures, the redesign of the 2,000-hryvnia banknote serves as a microcosm of the broader efforts to assert a distinct Ukrainian identity.