Zog I of Albania for such modernization was high, though. Although nominally a constitutional monarch, in practice Zog retained the dictatorial powers he had enjoyed as president. Thus, in effect, Albania remained a military dictatorship. In 1938, Zog opened the borders of Albania to Jewish refugees fleeing persecution in Nazi Germany. Although born as an aristocrat and hereditary Bey, King Zog was somewhat ignored by other monarchs in Europe because he was a self-proclaimed monarch who had no links to any other European royal families. Nonetheless, he did have strong connections with Muslim royal families in the Arab World, particularly Egypt, whose ruling dynasty
I Was the King, I Really Was the King I Was the King, I Really Was the King I Was the King, I Really Was the King is the second album by British alternative rock band Animals That Swim, released in June 1996 via Elemental Records. Its title is taken from a line in the book "This is Orson Welles". "I Was the King, I Really Was the King" received mixed to positive reviews upon release. Allmusic's Ned Raggett saw the LP as a natural progression from the band's debut album, "Workshy", but more energetic and "pop-friendly". He drew musical comparisons with Marc Almond's solo material and the songs