Salvador to stage World Cup carnival

Rio De Janeiro: Brazil`s northeastern city of Salvador will stage an out-of-season Carnival in a bid to attract tourists during this year`s World Cup, the media reported.

The celebration will be held on the weekend of June 14-15, a day after Salvador`s Fonte Nova stadium hosts its first World Cup fixture between Spain and the Netherlands, Xinhua reported citing a report by newspaper Folha de S.Paulo. The carnival will comprise 15 street parades - known as blocos - featuring performances from Brazilian pop stars Ivete Sangalo, Claudia Leitte and Bell Marques. "Apart from attracting visitors that will be in Brazil during the World Cup, the celebration will promote the local Carnival as tourist event," the newspaper said. Brazil`s carnival is traditionally held in February or March to mark the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period before Easter. Salvador`s 52,000-seat Fonte Nova stadium will host six World Cup matches.