heated by a stove), and second-floor bedrooms benefit from rising heat. The typical Swiss chalet originated in the Bernese Oberland. Chalets often face south or downhill and are built of solid wood, with a steeply gabled roof to allow accumulated snow to slide off easily. Stairs leading to upper levels are sometimes built on the outside, and balconies are sometimes enclosed. Food is passed from the kitchen to the stube, where the dining room table is placed. Some meals are communal, such as fondue, where a pot is set in the middle of the table for each person to dip into. Other meals are still served traditionally on carved wooden plates. Furniture has been traditionally elaborately carved and in many Alpine countries, carpentry skills are passed from generation to generation. Roofs are traditionally constructed from Alpine rocks such as pieces of schist, gneiss, or slate. Such chalets are typically found in the higher parts of the valleys, as in the Maurienne valley in Savoy, where the amount of snow during the cold months is important. The inclination of the roof cannot exceed 40%, allowing the snow to stay on top, thereby functioning as insulation from the cold. In the lower areas where the forests are widespread, wooden tiles are traditionally used. Commonly made of Norway spruce, they are called "tavaillon". In the German-speaking parts of the Alps (Austria, Bavaria, South Tyrol, Liechtenstein and Switzerland), there is a strong tradition of Alpine folk culture. Old traditions are carefully maintained among inhabitants of Alpine areas, even though this is seldom obvious to the visitor: many people are members of cultural associations where the Alpine folk culture is cultivated. At cultural events, traditional folk costume (in German Tracht) is expected: typically lederhosen for men and dirndls for women. Visitors can get a glimpse of the rich customs of the Alps at public Volksfeste. Even when large events feature only a little folk culture, all participants take part with gusto. Good opportunities to see local people celebrating the traditional culture occur at the many fairs, wine festivals, and firefighting festivals which fill weekends in the countryside from spring to autumn. Alpine festivals vary from country to country. Frequently they include music (e.g. the playing of Alpenhorns), dance (e.g. Schuhplattler), sports (e.g. wrestling marches and archery), as well as traditions with pagan roots such as the lighting of fires on Walpurgis Night and Saint John's
{
        'QUESTION: What type of architecture do Swiss chalets have?': 'ANSWER: Swiss chalets usually have a steeply gabled roof to allow accumulated snow to slide off easily.',
        'QUESTION: Where did the typical Swiss chalet originate?': 'ANSWER: The typical Swiss chalet originated in the Bernese Oberland.',
        'QUESTION: How are stairs in these chalets designed?': 'ANSWER: Stairs leading to upper levels are sometimes built on the outside.',
        'QUESTION: Are there any special features in the design of these chalets?': 'ANSWER: Yes, some balconies are enclosed and food is passed from the kitchen to the stube, where the dining room table is placed.',
        'QUESTION: What types of meals are commonly shared in these chalets?': 'ANSWER: Communal meals like fondue are common, where a pot is set in the middle of the table for everyone to share.',
        'QUESTION: What materials were traditionally used for constructing roofs of these chalets?': 'ANSWER: Traditionally, roofs were constructed using Alpine rocks such as pieces of schist, gneiss, or slate.',
        'QUESTION: Why are the roofs inclined at a certain angle?': 'ANSWER: The inclination of the roof cannot exceed 40% so that the snow stays on top, providing insulation from the cold.',
        'QUESTION: Which regions are known for their strong tradition of Alpine folk culture?': 'ANSWER: This includes Austria, Bavaria, South Tyrol, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.',
        'QUESTION: What role do cultural associations play in maintaining Alpine folk culture?': 'ANSWER: Cultural associations work towards preserving the Alpine folk culture by organizing various events and activities.',
        'QUESTION: What happens during Alpine festivals?': 'ANSWER: These festivals involve music, dance, sports, and traditions with pagan roots such as the lighting of fires.'
    }