By Menna Ali Romanian-born pan-flutist Gheorghe Zamfir enthralled a large audience with his performance in Cairo on Friday night, in support of cancer patients all over the world. Speaking at a news conference before the concert, Zamfir, 76, said that he wanted to encourage cancer patients to use melotherapy to fight cancer and to overcome it. "I am sure that the instrument I play has extraordinary powers not only to heal this deadly disease but to enrich the human soul as well," Zamfir told reporters. Zamfir said that he had conducted a great deal of research throughout his 60-year career on how music therapy can treat cancer. "I found out that the pan-flute is the most effective instrument in treating many diseases, especially cancer." "Music against Cancer" was the title of Zamfir's concert which was attended by Minister of Culture Enas Abdel Dayem, a host of celebrities and public figures and more than 75 experts in the treatment of cancer, from all over the world. The revenue from the charity concert was earmarked for the non-profit organisation Breast-Gynecological International Cancer Society (BGICS), in support of cancer patients, and to raise awareness of the importance of checking the disease which is spreading fast across the world. "I know that people listen to celebrities. It is natural for people to go and check themselves if a celebrity asks them to do so. That is why I am encouraging everyone, everywhere to have themselves checked. This will help patients to discover cancer early. And this will help in the treatment of the disease, because as we know if the disease becomes chronic, it becomes hard to treat," Zamfir said. The great musician added that he was pleased to be sending his message from Egypt. "I am very happy to be here to send this message to the world, especially as I am surrounded by Egyptians who have a very old civilisation," he said. This is the fourth time for Zamfir to visit Egypt. He gave a concert in 2009 at the Opera House in Cairo and Alexandria."I am very happy to be here this evening. And I know that I am very lucky because everyone in the world dreams about visiting Egypt at least once in their lifetime. And this is my fourth time," the veteran pan-flutist said, laughingly. Zamfir is known as «The Master of the Pan Flute». He is especially famous for his piece, «The Lonely Shepherd», which was written by James Last, recorded with the James Last Orchestra and was first included on Last's 1977 album, Russland Erinnerungen (Memories of Russia)."If I could, I would love to treat all the people in the world at this very moment with my soul and heart," Zamfir said.
