The people of Spain have been celebrating the centenary of the birth of Federico Garcia Lorca -- one of the world's greatest modern poets and playwrights, The celebrations are centred around his birthplace in the Andalusian village of Fuente Vaqueros, with a major exhibition in the capital, Madrid.

Around the world, major publishing houses are printing new biographies, and there are new theatre and film productions of his plays.

The BBC arts correspondent says Lorca's early death by firing squad during the Spanish civil war, and the fact that his body was never found have added to his legendary status.