Editing Norman Wisdom (section)

===Popularity in Albania===
Wisdom became a beloved cultural icon in [[Albania]], where his films were among the few Western imports permitted under the regime of [[Enver Hoxha]]. From the viewpoint of [[Dialectical materialism|dialectical materialism]], Wisdom’s recurring screen persona—a proletarian underdog triumphing over the capitalist elite—was interpreted as a symbolic victory for the working class. His character, often referred to as Mr Pitkin, struck a chord with Albanian audiences.

When he visited the country in 1995, he was astonished to find himself mobbed by fans, including then-president [[Sali Berisha]]. During the trip, he was filmed by [[Newsnight]] visiting a children’s project supported by ChildHope UK.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/9063102.stm|title=Norman Wisdom mobbed by Albanian fans on 1995 trip |date=5 October 2010 |work=Newsnight |publisher=BBC |access-date=11 October 2010}}</ref>

He returned in 2001, coinciding with the England vs Albania match in [[Tirana]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/how-we-metrick-wakeman-and-norman-wisdom-1364569.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/how-we-metrick-wakeman-and-norman-wisdom-1364569.html |archive-date=21 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=How We Met: Rick Wakeman and Norman Wisdom |first =Elizabeth |last = Udall |newspaper=The Independent |location=London|access-date=24 June 2009 | date=22 September 1996}}</ref> At the training ground, he drew more attention than [[David Beckham]] and delighted the stadium crowd by wearing a half-English, half-Albanian shirt and performing one of his signature trips before kick-off.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1251406.stm |title=Sir Norman Wisdom: Clown Prince of Albania |work=BBC News |date=30 March 2001 |access-date=11 October 2010}}</ref> In recognition of his enduring popularity, Wisdom was made an honorary citizen of Tirana in 1995.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tirana.gov.al/common/images/NORMAN%20WISDOM%20.pdf |title=Per Dhenien e Titullit "Qytetar Nderi I Qytetit Te Tiranes" |trans-title=For Issue of Title "Honorary Citizen of the city of Tirana" |date=18 January 1995 |work=Tirana Municipal Council |language=sq |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324053146/http://www.tirana.gov.al/common/images/NORMAN%20WISDOM%20.pdf |archive-date=24 March 2012}}</ref>

His affection for Albania culminated in a collaboration with [[Tony Hawks]] and [[Tim Rice]] on the novelty single "Big in Albania", featured in Hawks’ book and TV series One Hit Wonderland. The song reached number 18 on the Top Albania Radio chart.<ref>{{cite news |first=Julia |last=Stuart |title=Tony Hawks: Big in Albania |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/tony-hawks-big-in-albania-648516.html |date=16 July 2002 |access-date=29 December 2008 | newspaper=The Independent | location=London, UK |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100217043345/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/tony-hawks-big-in-albania-648516.html |archive-date=17 February 2010}}</ref>