On 1 September 2026 Uzbekistan marked thirty-five years of independence. To celebrate, Turan American Heritage Association took a group of young people from New York across the ocean to Tashkent to meet their peers in Uzbekistan in person.

Over the visit the delegation and their hosts introduced themselves, spoke about their studies and work, and discussed what independence means to a generation born after 1991 and to a generation growing up abroad, while experiencing the city's culture, food and hospitality first-hand. The trip closed with Independence Day greetings and plans to keep the exchange going through joint projects during the year.