Hay Secretos: How a sweet song caught a child abuser
Argentinian songwriter Ruth Hillar wanted to encourage children to speak their minds, and they did. Her composition even featured in a court case.
Recorded by the children’s music group Canticuénticos, the song Hay Secretos has huge social significance in Argentina. Its composer Ruth Hillar deliberately wrote the song so that it could be interpreted in different ways. For some listeners the song is about small, trivial secrets, but for others it brings much darker experiences to mind. The song played a role in a child abuse court case; after hearing Hay Secretos a girl disclosed that she had been abused by a neighbour. Other children then came forward and shared their own stories of abuse by the same man. The song has now been translated and performed in several languages. The reporter is Natalio Cosoy.
Pavel Kolesnikov and Samson Tsoy are established concert pianists who moved to London from Russia some years ago. Living together during the pandemic they began to play on one piano together, in a style known as 'four hands'. They have international solo careers, but also now perform together in this four-hands style. As an openly gay couple their music is banned in Russia under the country’s strict anti-homosexuality laws.
Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Julian Siddle
Get in touch: [email protected] or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707
(Photo: From the video for Hay Secretos; Credit: Canticuénticos)
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