Ίδρυμα Μελετών Χερσονήσου του Αίμου
- The Institute for Balkan Studies
- Idryma Meleton Chersonisou tou Aimou
- IMXA
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History
The Institute for Balkan Studies (usually known by its Greek acronym: IMXA) was founded in March 1953, and for the next twenty years operated as an offshoot of the Society for Macedonian Studies. Its activities include: i) conducting research into the history, archaeology, culture, international relations, economics, and other aspects of the Balkan Peninsula; ii) publishing scholarly studies and periodicals; iii) organising conferences and other academic meetings; iv) teaching the Balkan languages, Russian and Polish; and v) running Greek summer courses for speakers of other languages.
IMXA's main concerns are to promote better understanding of the developments which have shaped the current situation in south-eastern Europe and to work with the international and Balkan scholarly community. The work of the Institute is carried out by experienced research staff, all with master's and doctoral degrees, whose research covers all the Balkan countries.
On the international scene, IMXA has built up a wide network of contacts and co-operation with various top-level research centres and the Academies of Sciences in south-eastern Europe, and with its counterparts in other countries, such as the United States, Britain, France, Italy, Russia, and Germany.
The Institute has published some 300 monographs, and also produces the periodicals Valkanika Symmeikta (in Greek) and Balkan Studies (in international languages).
IMXA also runs the only library in Greece that specialises in Balkan-related subjects. Fully computerised, it stocks over 25,000 books and 700 current periodicals; and it also has an extensive archive of microfilms, with systems for reading and printing them. One very important aspect of the Institute's activities is the School of Balkan Languages and Russian, which opened in 1963 and has produced more than 8,000 alumni to date. Also, every year since 1964, the International Summer School for Greek Language, History, and Culture has been offered foreign students and scholars the opportunity to cultivate knowledge of the Greek language and to learn more about Greek history and culture.
Geographical and Cultural Context
Greece and Balkans.
Mandates/Sources of Authority
Since 1974, it has been an independent legal entity governed by private law, under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture.
Building(s)
The Institute is located in its own multi-story building.
Archival and Other Holdings
The Institute holds mainly diplomatic archives acquired from Archives in the United States of America and other countries.
Finding Aids, Guides, and Publication
A printed catalogue with the archival collections is available. The library of the Institute for Balkan Studies is the only one, entirely computerised, in Greece that comprises rich material on Balkan-related subjects. The systematic cataloguing of the collection and the thematic analysis of monographs, independent publications, periodicals and collective works is done according to the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules.
Opening Times
The library is open to the public from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Archive is closed on public holidays.
Conditions of Access
Photocopying is by request only and will involve an assessment by staff to see if it is possible. Digital cameras are allowed. The use of lap-tops is permitted.
Accessibility
Access for the handicapped is possible; wide corridors and a lift provide safe access for the handicapped in the building.
Research Services
Research room is equipped with computers whose on-site Intranet programs allow searching and viewing material not accessible via the off-site (Internet) use.
Reproduction Services
There are charges for photocopying/digital output.
Sources
Entry by V. Ritzaleos, based on site-survey and information from the archive.