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Céline Dion has had to cancel several concerts
Photo: Lucas Barioulet / AFP
After several postponements, Canadian singer Céline Dion has once again cancelled concerts in Europe due to a neurological disease. "I'm trying very hard to regain my strength, but touring can even be difficult when you're 100 percent strong," the 55-year-old said on Instagram, explaining the cancellation of the concerts planned until April 2024.
"Even if it breaks my heart, it's better if we cancel everything now until I'm really ready to return to the stage," Dion added. At the same time, the singer, who is known for hits such as "Think Twice" and "My Heart Will Go On", emphasized to her fans: "I don't give up... and I can't wait to see you again."
Dion's »Courage World Tour« began in 2019. After 52 concerts, the corona pandemic had thrown a spanner in the works for the singer. After that, the Grammy winner had to postpone concerts again and again due to health problems.
Problems with walking and singing
She was diagnosed with the "very rare neurological disorder stiff person syndrome," Dion said in a five-minute Instagram video at the time. The disease, which mainly causes muscle cramps and stabbing pain, affects not only Dion's legs but also her vocal cords: she has problems walking and singing.
However, it is unclear exactly how severe their complaints are. The exact cause of her suffering is also unknown. It is believed to be an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its own body. Stiff person syndrome affects only about one person in a million.
Dion's next concert of her world tour should have taken place on September 1 in Paris. Cities such as Helsinki, Budapest, Prague, Zurich, Vienna, Dublin and London were also on her agenda. In March of next year, she was supposed to perform in Cologne, Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Mannheim.
evh/AFP