12/03/2008: The Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation and the Chios Mastiha Growers Association  are organizing a scientific meeting on the History of Chios Mastic, in October 17-19, 2008 at the Omireio Cultural Center (Chios).

The aim of the Conference is to promote the historical research and documentation of the traditional ways of production, processing and consumption of the Chios mastic. The objective is to achieve an interdisciplinary and diachronic approach to the subject and to examine the economic, social and cultural aspects related to it. The proposed papers should be based on primary research. Please note that the conference's theme is orientated to the historic approach on the subject and so it is not engaged in matters concerning contemporary methods of production (1970-2008).

Indicative thematic areas:
Production - Gathering
Processing and Preservation Techniques
Packaging/Wrapping
Trade
Applications: Pharmaceutical - Nutrition - Cosmetics
Mythology - Symbolic Use - Customs
Architecture - Zoning

Those interested in participating to the Conference have to submit a form of participation until June 10th, 2008, in which the title of the proposed paper, a brief summary (up to 300 words), full name, profession, address, phone number, fax number and internet address of the submitting party should be included.
Maximum duration of each paper is 15 minutes. The final version of the papers, which will be submitted to the proceedings of the meeting at the end of the Conference, may be more extensive. The Scientific Committee maintains the right to select papers according to the final program of the Conference. Travel, accomodation, and food expenses will be covered by the co-organizers of the Conference.

Scientific Committee
Kostas Ganiaris, President of the Chios Mastiha Growers Association
Vasileios Lamprinoudakis, Professor of Classical Archaeοlogy, School of Philosophy, Athens University
Aspasia Louvi, General Director, Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation
Vassiliki Moutafis, Associate Professor of Social Anthropology, Aegean University
Haralampos Mpouras, Emeritus Professor, Athens Polytechnic School
Anastasia Papadia-Lala, Professor of History, School of Philosophy, Athens University
Leandros Skaltsounis, Professor, Dept. of Pharmacology, Athens University
Sterios Fasoulakis, Emeritus Professor, Athens University

Information:
Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation
Helen Beneki, Head of Research & Communication Dept.
6, Aggelou Geronta str., 105 58, Athens, Greece
Phone number: 0302103218105, 0302103256932
Fax number: 0302103218145
Sites : www.piop.gr , www.gummastic.gr
Email : BenekiE@piraeusbank.gr