Context : We have carried out a big FLAMES survey of 10 Galactic open clusters aiming at different goals .
One of them is the determination of chemical abundances , in order to put constraints on the radial metallicity gradient in the disk and its evolution .
One of the sample clusters is the very metal rich NGC 6253 .

Aims : We have obtained UVES high resolution spectra of seven candidate cluster members ( from the turn off up to the red clump ) with the goal of determining the chemical composition of NGC 6253 and to investigate its origin and role in the interpretation of the radial metallicity gradient in the disk .

Methods : Equivalent width analysis and spectral synthesis were performed using MOOG and Kurucz model atmospheres .

Results : We derived abundances of Fe , \alpha - and Fe-peak elements , the light element Na and the s-process element Ba .
Excluding two likely non-members and the clump giant , whose metallicity from equivalent widths is overestimated , we find an average [ Fe/H ] =+0.36 \pm 0.07 ( rms ) for the cluster .
For most of the other elements we derive solar abundance ratios .

Conclusions :