Paper short abstract:

After a short overview of aims, research and studying methods of the HFRC, we discuss its contemporary policies concerning the creation and maintenance of digital records and their dissemination through on-line databases that confront the challenge of common metadata standards.

Paper long abstract:

The Hellenic Folklore Research Centre, Academy of Athens (HFRC), established in 1918 constitutes the National Documentation Centre for traditional and contemporary Greek Culture. Apart from field researches, publications and conferences, its activities include interdisciplinary research projects, exhibitions, academic support for museums and for cultural bodies, and other events.

The diffusion and circulation of digital ethnographic content coming from different agents - cultural stock holders, educational institutions, collective bodies (associations, unions, etc.) and individuals is a permanent preoccupation. Current projects of the HFRC include the development of innovative tools and interfacial means for access to digital content, the creation of a specialized knowledge framework and the interoperability of digital HFRC's collections, which will be associated with the international standards. Additionally, the creation of an interactive portal could make the dissemination of the digital archive much easier and allow interactive communication with the Centre for both specialist researchers and the general public. Finally, the proposed organization and management of the archive offers new possibilities in research and supports the dialogue between the researchers and the society, remodeling ultimately the very notion of the archive itself.