Arts lovers will be transported from Brazil to New Zealand and Bolivia to New York during the upcoming Edinburgh International Festival.

The 2010 programme for the culture fest was launched on Wednesday, with organisers saying new world contemporary culture was to the focus. The three-week event will feature performers from dozens of countries, including Bolivia, Samoa and venezuala.

A controversial and modern new opera, 'Bliss', will make its European premiere in a performance series by Opera Australia, while the Blind Boys of Alabama will join Harlem's Abyssinian Chancel Choir for musical 'The Gospel at Colonus'.

Another of the highlights is set to be Parabelo, an energetic dance piece from the Brazilian Grupo Corpo dance company which promises to transform viewers to the carnival atmosphere of Rio. Check out a video of the group performing above.

Festival Director Jonathan Mills said: "This year the Festival takes us on a journey around the contemporary cultures of the Americas and Australasia. We have shifted our centre of gravity from Europe towards these intriguing and complex continents. As these diverse cultures, separated by vast oceans, converge in Edinburgh, I hope you will join us to celebrate the synergies and revelations they offer."

Scotland will also be represented, this year in the form of 'Caledonia'. The National Theatre of Scotland performance focuses on the country's futile attempt to establish a colony in Panama.

The project is supported by a £200,000 grant from the Scottish Government's Expo Fund. Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop MSP, said: "I am delighted we are able to support the Festival through our Expo Fund to help produce this exciting and diverse programme, putting Scotland’s own world-class talent on the international stage.

"Such opportunities are vital in highlighting the tremendous breadth and depth of talent in Scotland, as well as being great for audiences."

This year's festival gets underway on August 13 and will end with the annual fireworks extravaganza on September 5. The programme will coicide with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and is expected to draw tens of thousands of people to the city.

Edinburgh City Council leader Jenny Dawe said: "The programme for this year's Edinburgh International Festival looks vibrant and truly international. I am certain that it will help to maintain Edinburgh's reputation as a global leader for culture and tourism."

She added: "I look forward to welcoming these diverse artists to Edinburgh in August and I am sure that Edinburgh will once again give a great welcome to those who come to enjoy a spectacular Festival."

Tickets go on public sale on March 27 and young people aged under 26 can access on-the-day tickets for each performance for just £8. The full programme can now be read on the EIF website.