On 21 December 2001, the European Commission launched the single currency publicity campaign ‘Thalys, the euro on the move'. Until 4 February 2002, the ‘Thalys euro' travelled through France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, covered in pictures of euro coins on a blue laminated background. The coins represented the notes of part of the musical score to Beethoven's 9th Symphony: Ode to Joy. The photo shows Commissioners Pascal Lamy and Pedro Solbes Mira.