This is the snazzy winning logo which beat off 1,700 others to mark the 50th celebrations of the European Union. It was designed by Szymon 
Skrzypczak (pic), from Poland.
It very cleverly picks on different type faces from different countries - I guess the UK is represented by the very arch and angular T from The Times, it denotes the very stiff British upper lip.
But why didn’t any UK entries make it through to the finals? Whatever your views about Europe, it would have been a great opportunity for us to showcase our creativity.
Some of the talented art and desing student finalists came from Latvia, Slovakia and Lithuania, our nearest finalist coming from Ireland. Will leading international companies be seeking to source their inspirational and cutting-edge designs from these new European countries instead of the UK?
I doubt there will be much enthusiasm from the UK for any EU celebrations next year. Martine has pointed out that the EU fears ridicule and is scaling down its plans. A mooted Eurovision-style singing competition, and plans for EU-wide dancing in the street and an EU marathon have discreetly been dropped. I can hear you all breathing a huge sigh of relief, but you are not let off completely, you can instead gear yourself up for:
- Eurovision-style song contest
- Dancing in street
- EU marathon
- Tree-planting campaign
- European film festival
- Festive voyage by boat calling at ports from Finland to Greece
I would have thought some European football matches would have been a good idea, but then maybe not, it is just as divisive as uniting - just like politics and religion!