New Britain herald., 1928-09-12
1lRANO EUROPrS
| new ROYAL CITY
Capital Of Albania Ganss Its
Social Customs

Washington. Sept. - - Albania
for eight years . republic ha,
crowned Ahmed Zogu its king. re-
verxing the trend OF most European
nations.
Thus Tirana. capital Of Albania
will join the ranks Of European
royal cities. The modest white
house" will become palace. and
MIR. President" will be properly ad-
dressed His Highness.
Springless Ox-Cafts
Until a few years ago Tirana wal
az little known as the rest Of Al.
hama is today" says bulletin from
the Washington. d. C. headquarters
of the National Geographic society
Boat loads of tourists drifted
Gown the Albanian coast, stopping
Row and then at some picturesque
island, or at coastal village. but
they seldom We tured far inland.
AT Dure 20. former capital. and
now Tlrana's seaport. they took one
glance at the impossible roads ia
the interior and another glance II
the springless ox-carts and donkeyi
which were then the only Albanian
taxis. Then most of them decided
to see Tirana when conditions were
improved.
Tho capital has changed. how
ever, since President Zogu establish
cd government headquarters there
in 1925. Bus service on the new
road from Tirana to DuraIxo brings
increasing numbers OF travellers and
the once quiet little Moslem city 10
maxim. splendid progress.
Changes In the Skyline
1.-THE mosque. domes and min
arets that once dominated the city's
sky line are being encroached upon
by modern government buildings
and legations of foreign governments
who recognize Albanian sovereignty.
Hotels are also poking their upper
stories above the red roofs Of old
Tirana's mud-walled structures. and
new avenues, parks and public gar
dens have been laid out for the en-
joyment of the city's inhabitants and
guests.
"Albanians are not a Travelled peo-
rle. Their first railroad now Is un-
der construction between Durazzo
and Tirana. and save for = narrow
rim along the Adriatic seaboard.
there are few roads within the coun-
trv's borders, But the gocial aspect
of the capital has changed with the
coming of representatives of foreign
At the new Sports
Club Albanians rub elbow with resi-
dent diplomats and the Albanian
women now compete against the
ladies' Of the legations on the tennis
courts.
Tosks Like Ornaments
1.-THE Tirana market place Is one
of the few spots in the city that has
not been disturbed by the newcom-
ers and here. among the vegetables
and fruits piled on the cobbles roam
folk Of the surrounding mountains
and valleys, apparently unmoved by
the changes taking place in their
ca pital.
Both the Chegs of the north and
the Tosks of the south crowd the
'aisles.' Mingling among the live
" thronss, one sees q bewhiskered
Moslen holy man whose somber
robes sharply contrast with the flam-
InR colors of the natives garments.
he Chcss. three-fourths Of whom
are Moslems, can be singled out
from the rest of the crowd by their
gray half-size fezzes which resemble
The aluminium lids which keep pan
cakes warm on American restaurant
tables. They also wear loose-fitttng,
gleeveless, buttonless packets. tight
hitting trousers and home made
sandals of ox-hide.
THE Tosks are less conservative
Than their northern compatriots.
They like ornamentatioh, and their
costumes are colorful. There may
be enough silver and gold in their
re gala to pay a first-class passage
from Durazzo to New York"