The Yoter Club, part of the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel’s Soldiers, on Wednesday held its pre-enlistment event, the Yoter Festival, for soon-to-be soldiers.

The festival invited new recruits for a day of good music featuring live performances, a fresh and young atmosphere and other interactive events, all at no cost.

Participants at the event were also able to used manned computer stations to learn about their military placement, submit special requests, apply for a change in placement and receive immediate answers.

The goal of the not-for-profit event is to salute the new recruits to the IDF, and to strengthen their motivation for a meaningful service.

Brig. Gen. (res.) Avigdor Kahalani, head of the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel’s Soldiers, told Arutz Sheva that the festival is meant “to tell [new recruits], ‘Thank you very much for joining the army.’”

“We have a very complicated country. We have to defend ourselves against so many enemies around us, and we need a strong army. That’s why we’re doing this,” he added.