Picks of the Week

Originally published in The Moscow Times on January 21, 2000

Kill two birds with one stone this week. Take the kids out for some good old-fashioned fun at the zoo and visit one of its least traditional additions: an exhibit of paintings and sculpture depicting imaginary animals.

The Moscow Zoo's art gallery currently houses what it's calling its "Mythological Bestiary" exhibit - nestled in the heart of the park, in the monkey building. If you can brave the pungent smell emanating from the cages (which you must pass in order to reach the gallery), you'll find the exhibit well worth the trip.

The "Mythological Bestiary" is your ticket into a world of fantastic, timeless creatures - most of them taken from Russian and East Asian folk tales and brought to life in sketches…

Read the full text at The Moscow Times.