| Russia's official language is Russian, but the country | | | | Russian startsky movement of the 18th century, when |
| does also have another 26 "regionally-official" | | | | elderly monks were greatly revered for their supposed |
| languages. As many signposts and street names will | | | | healing powers, and has also been visited by such |
| be printed in Cyrillic instead of western script, all tourists | | | | Russian literary greats as Nikolai Gogol and Leo |
| should have access to a guidebook, map and | | | | Tolstoy. |
| Russian-English dictionary or phrasebook at all times | | | | What is probably the sole surviving Kostroma Moose |
| during their Russia holiday. Other languages spoken in | | | | Farm exists near the small town of Sumarokovo in the |
| Russia include Old Church Slavonic, used mainly by the | | | | Central Province's Kostroma Oblast. Tours of the farm |
| Russian Orthodox Church, the Tungusic languages and | | | | are available and can be arranged through the |
| the Chukotko-Kamchatkan dialects. | | | | Kostroma Bureau of Tourism. Visitors to the farm can |
| The Kaluga Oblast in Russia's Central Province is well | | | | see how the moose are milked and also how antler |
| known for its exquisite monasteries and churches, and | | | | velvet is harvested. Visitors are not, however, allowed |
| the Optina Pustyn Monastery is thought to be one of | | | | to wander the farm unaccompanied as the moose |
| the best. It is most famous for its connection to the | | | | sometimes mistake them for predators. |