Leonard Cohen sticks to Europe in 2012 tour

Leonard Cohen has announced a tour in support of his recent album Old Ideas, but has disappointed Canadian fans by choosing only European venues.

The Montreal poet and novelist begins his tour Aug. 12 in Belgium and winds up Oct. 7 in Lisbon,with 18 dates schedulein European cities including Paris, Dublin, Berlin, Copenhagen and Barcelona.

Old Ideas is the highest charting album of his career, hitting No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard chart and No. 1 in the U.K. and other European countries, including Finland and Belgium.

Cohen, whose songs such as Hallelujah, Bird on a Wire and Suzanne continue to be covered by other artists, last toured Canada in 2008-10.

Now 77, he explores love, religion and mortality in his newest album, released in January.

Canada's melancholy bard has won numerous awards in recognition of his lifetime achievemnt, including the Glenn Gould Prize and Prince of Asturias Award. Lastmonth he was celebrated for the literary excellence of his lyrics at a PEN gala inBoston.