Gheorghe Zamfir (Photo: courtesy of BGICS)
The Romanian pan-flautist Gheorghe Zamfir will perform a benefit concert in Cairo on 19 January in support of female cancer patients and their treatment.
Zamfir, 76, is world famous for his renditions of traditional music performed on pan-flute, as well as his own compositions.
The musical event, titled Music Against Cancer, has been arranged in association with the Breast-Gynecological International Cancer Society (BGICS), a Cairo-based organization that aims at "promoting optimal standards of care for patients with breast gynecological cancers."
The concert will form part of the 10th Breast, Gynecological and Immuno-oncology International Cancer Conference (BGIICC), which will take place on 18 and 19 January at Cairo's Fairmont Towers Hotel.
Many members of the international medical community, as well as Egyptian film and music stars, are due to attend the event, which aims at spreading awareness of cancer and its treatment, while raising funds to support patient care.
In a press release, the president of BGICS, Prof. Hesham El-Ghazaly, stressed his interest in the search for modern cancer treatments with the highest cure rates.
"With our interest in scientific research, we are equally focused on the emotional condition and quality of life of the patients. No doubt, music plays a role in raising the morale of patients, so we chose to involve music in our fight against cancer," he said.
"I am grateful to Gheorghe Zamfir for agreeing to come to Egypt and perform in support of cancer patients. All the proceeds from the event will be utilised for the benefit of cancer patients," he added.
Zamfir, meanwhile, expressed his happiness at being part of the charitable event in "the Land of Pharaohs".
His musical education began on the accordion, but he later changed instruments, playing an expanded version of the traditional Romanian pan-flute and earning the title Master of the Pan-Flute.
In 1966, he was appointed conductor of Romania's prestigious Ciocîrlia Orchestra, and in 1969 he launched his own band, releasing several original compositions, including Messe pour la Paix, which brought him international attention.
Zamfir's musical career has taken him to many countries, including Egypt. In 2009, he held a concert at the Cairo and Alexandria Opera Houses. In 2016 he was featured as a guest of honor during Richard Clayderman's concert in Cairo.
He currently resides and teaches in the Romanian capital Bucharest.
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