Wishing to provide my Folegandrian friends, with whom I have been living for so many years, appointed by the Government to educate their children, with some pleasant reading material, and those who delve into Cycladic matters, diligently study and write notes on the island of Folegandros, especially with regard to the island’s archaeology, geographical location and area, its bays and capes and generally its political geography including the mores and customs, the population and everything that may render my work agreeable to all, I ventured to write the present tome not just for the worthy and patriotic Folegandrians but for every person in Cyclades who is interested in certain specific details about the small yet noble island of Folegandros.
Folegandros, 25 August 1887
Charilaos Alkiviades