Mr Wim Duisenberg is ready for his close-up. On Monday, the president of the European Central Bank (ECB) and 24 children from around Europe will launch the euro in Frankfurt.
Despite the holiday season and the once-in-a-lifetime occasion, however, it is unlikely that Mr Duisenberg will be letting his mop of hair down.
"No, he won't sing and he won't dance either," said ECB press spokesman Mr Niels Bⁿnemann when questioned by The Irish Times. "I wouldn't rule out a few jokes, though. He has a sublime sense of humour, as anyone who has seen him in the press conferences will know."
The euro will be officially launched at 10.30 a.m. on New Year's Eve in Frankfurt's Harmony Hall, the choice of venue perhaps expressing a hope for the future of the common currency in the 12-country euro zone.
The ECB promises the launch will be filled with music, performance and free money, but only for 24 children.
They are the winners of a children's competition organised by the ECB to promote the currency. Now they will become "euro superstars", as the competition promised, for a few hours at least.
The Republic's "euro superstars" are Imelda Hickey (9) from Kildare and Gerard Raftery (11), from Tuam.
In the full glare of the world's media, they and 22 other children will be presented with free samples of the euro. But the ECB is adamant that the children won't have to sing for their supper. "The children are under no obligation to perform, they just have to be there," said Mr Bⁿnemann in a friendly but firm manner. "We don't want them in the service of the ECB."
Mr Bⁿnemann also assured The Irish Times that the euro banknotes and coins will be presented in a frame that cannot be prised open, so the euros cannot be used as a bridging loan until pocket money day.
As well as framed euros, the 24 winners will receive a laptop computer, a signed certificate from Mr Duisenberg and a set of euro T-shirts for their classmates. Runners up will receive special "euro superstar" watches.
The highlight of next Monday's launch, the ECB says, is a performance that will "transcend national and language barriers". Details are secret, but so far it sounds like it will be a must-see for fans of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Last September, the ECB unveiled the full range of notes and coins for the first time, including the full range of security features.
They also launched the advertising campaign, "The Euro, Our Money", as well as the children's competition.
The competition asked children why they wanted to "be a euro superstar".
"With the introduction of the euro, our lives will enter a new galaxy. Us children will become small but shiny euro stars.
"One of those stars will be me," said one entrant, 11-year old Athanasios from Greece.
Miriam (10) from Italy wrote: "The euro is like the children of Europe: a different face for every country and each filled with so many values."
