International Toy Research Association
World Congress
TOYS AND CULTURE
9,10,11 July 2008
Nafplion, Greece
The 5th World Congress of the International Toy Research Association will be held in conjunction with the Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation in Nafplion Greece.
Venue
The Conference will be held at the Department of Theater Studies, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of the Peloponnese. Most of the papers and workshop sessions will be held at the Department of Theater Studies 21 Vas. Konstantinou St. 21 100 Nafplion. The plenary sessions and the opening and closing ceremonies will be held at the Old Parliament building in the centre of Historical Nafplion.
Call for papers
The International Toy Research Association (ITRA), founded in 1993, is devoted to the scientific study of toys in all their facets. ITRA brings together toy researchers from all corners of the globe (see www.toyresearch.org for further information on ITRA). This is our 5th International Congress to discuss research, collaborate on international projects, and exchange information with other researchers, students, and leaders in the toy industry. More than 100 delegates from 17 countries attended our previous meeting in Alicante, Spain. The Nafplion meeting will exceed that number.
The Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation “V. Papantoniou” was founded by Ioanna Papantoniou in 1974. It is a privately supported foundation based in Nafplion and it aims at research, preservation, study and presentation of the material culture of Greece, especially of the region of the Peloponnese. The Folklore Museum of the Foundation received the European Museum of the Year Award in 1981. The PFF publishes records of Greek folk music, books on Greek folk culture and the scientific journal Ethnographica. In 1989 the PFF created “Stathmos”, a multipurpose children’s centre housing part of its toy and children’s culture collections (see www.pli.gr for further information).
The Department for Theater Studies was founded in 2003 in Nafplion Greece as part of the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of the Peloponnese (see www.uop.gr). It aims to cultivate and promote the performing arts (dance, theatre and film studies) through academic and applied research and to provide its 252 students with the knowledge needed for their scientific, artistic and professional development. To this end, the Department organizes lectures, exhibitions and many events dealing with dance, theatre and film. Moreover it participates in the ERASMUS programme for Education in Europe.
Conference Themes
The overarching theme of the conference is the relationship between toys and culture. All play media and play instruments are included in the concept of “toys” ranging from playgrounds and playscapes to electronic devices. A broad scope of approaches is encouraged from the technological and social sciences the humanities.
Papers, workshops, poster sessions and symposia may explore any of the conference themes. Topics are likely to include:
- Historical and cultural analyses of children’s toys and media
- Toys, play media and gender socialization
- Gender relationships in playgrounds
- Toys and play media in the recreational life of seniors and
in intergenerational play - Commercialization of playthings and play spaces
- Children’s patterns of toy and media use
- Globalization of children’s culture
- Uses and interpretations of computer and video games
- Applications of toys and media to health, education, science
- Comparative studies of toys and other media
- Toy inventories at home, in schools
- New entertainment technologies and innovative toy design
To submit a paper, symposium or workshop
If you would like to present a paper, give a workshop, or organize a seminar, please submit the requested abstract or proposal, in English, by 1 December 2007. Submissions may be made by post or email to:
Dr. Cleo Gougoulis,
54 Ag. Alexandrou St.,
P. Phaleron,
17561 Athens,
Greece,
Fax: +30-210 9810-509,
email: cleogougoulis@yahoo.grOR:
Prof. Despina Karakatsani,
11 Angelou Sikelianou St.,
153 43 Athens,
Greece
Fax:+30 210- 6086-037,
email: despikar@otenet.gr
Papers will be limited to 30 minutes, which includes time for questions and comments. If you would like to present a paper, please submit a one-page abstract, in English, by 1 December 2007.
Symposia will be limited to 2 hours, with three or four presentations on a common theme. Proposals should contain the title of the symposium and included papers along with names, affiliations, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of the chairperson and each contributor. Each proposal should include an overview of the session, not to exceed 350 words in length.
Deadline: 1 December 2007
Workshops should be planned for a single 90-minute instructional or working session with one or two presenters/facilitators. Proposals should provide the names, affiliations, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses of all presenters along with a one-page abstract of the proposed workshop.
Deadline for submission of proposal: 1 December 2007
The scientific committee will review your abstract or proposal for its suitability to the conference. You will receive a reply in March 2008.
All participants must register for the conference prior to the
deadline of 30 April 2008.
ITRA-BTHA Prize
During the Congress, the first ITRA-British Toy & Hobby Association Prizes for outstanding toy research will be announced.
(ITRA-BTHA Prize Details)
Registration and fees
You may register by post, fax, or email. Registration is limited, so register early. Early registration ends 30 April 2008. After 30 April registration fees increase. Cancellations will be accepted until 30 May 2008. There will be no refunds after this date. Registration for the conference includes coffee breaks, 3 lunches, 2 receptions, and social events.
Early registration Until 30 April 2008 200 Euros
Late registration After 30 April 2008 250 Euros
Registration for one day (space permitting) 100 Euros
Student/Spouse Until 30 April 2008 75 Euros
Payment may be made by bank transfer
to the following account number.
Alpha Bank
Account number: 1150 0200 2019 636
Benfeciary: Ippocampos travel S.A.
IBAN No GR40 0140 1150 1150 0200 2019 636
Swift: CRBA GRAAXXX
Send registration forms to:
Dr. Cleo Gougoulis,
54 Ag. Alexandrou St.,
P. Phaleron,
17561 Athens,
Greece,
Fax: +30-210 9810-509,
email: cleogougoulis@yahoo.grOR:
Prof. Despina Karakatsani,
11 Angelou Sikelianou St.,
153 43 Athens,
Greece
Fax:+30 210- 6086-037,
email: despikar@otenet.gr
Limited financial support is available to participants for whom registration fees and travel costs would present a hardship. Please submit your request for financial consideration before 1 December 2007, along with the abstract of your conference paper, workshop or symposium to:
Dr. Cleo Gougoulis,
54 Ag. Alexandrou St.,
P. Phaleron,
17561 Athens,
Greece,
Fax: +30-210 9810-509,
email: cleogougoulis@yahoo.gr
Deadlines
Abstracts of papers 1 December 2007
Proposals for seminars, workshops 1 December 2007
Request for financial assistance 1 December 2007
Response from review committee 30 March 2008
Registration 30 April 2008
Accommodation
The Organizing Committee in conjunction with Ippocampos Travel S.A. have arranged special discounted rates at selected hotels for conference delegates. Rates range from 54 Euros to 175 Euros per night. Further information is available from:
Mr. Takis Mamais, Ippocampos Travel
email: tmamais@ippocampos.com or info@ippocampos.com
Social events
Nafplion, the first capital of Greece in the 19th century, is a beautiful, historical town of 16.000 inhabitants and a popular tourist destination for all seasons, as it combines easy access to museums and historical sight-seeing locations (the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, the Mycenae Palace, the Palamidi Castle, the Island of Bourgi), and proximity to some nice beaches and promenades.
Social events will include two receptions hosted by the Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation and guided tours of the old town of Nafplion and of the Folk Art Museum of the Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation, respectively. More events are being arranged. An optional half day excursion to the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus and the Mycenian fortress of Ancient Tiryns has been planned for those delegates who will decide to stay another day in Nafplion. Separate registration is required for this excursion.
Scientific advisory committee
Gilles Brougère, Université Paris Nord, France
Jeffrey H. Goldstein, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
Cleo Gougoulis, Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation, Nafplion, Greece
Stephen Kline, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
Tizuko Kishimoto, University of Sao Paolo, Brazil
Tony Pellegrini, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, US
Brian Sutton-Smith, Professor Emeritus, University of Pennsylvania, US
Gisela Wegener-Spöhring, University of Cologne, Germany
Organizing committee
Mark Allen, email: mark.allen@brunel.ac.uk
Serious Fun Research Labs
Brunel University
Department of Design,
Runntmede Campus,Egham
Surrey TW20
United Kingdom
Maria Argyriadi, email: argyriadis@benaki.gr
Department of Childhood, Toys and Games
Benaki Museum
1 Koumbari St,
105 58 Athens
Greece
Cleo Gougoulis, email: cleogougoulis@yahoo.gr
President of ITRA
Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation
1 Vas. Alexandrou St.
Nafplion 21 100
Greece
Popi Kalkounou email: pff@otenet.gr
Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation
1 Vas. Alexandrou St.
Nafplion 21 100
Greece
Despina Karakatsani, email: despikar@otenet.gr
Department of Social and Educational Policy
University of the Peloponnese
Damaskinou and Kolokotroni St.
20100 Corinth
Greece
Maria Velioti- Georgopoulos, email: mail@gak.arg.sch.gr
Department of Theater Studies
University of the Peloponnese
21 Vas. Konstantinou St. ,
21 100 Nafplion
Greece
Penelopi Nikolaidou email: stoilos@ath.forthnet.gr
Hellenic Toy Library Association
48 Kamelion St.
154 52 Athens
Greece
Copyright ITRA 2007 
