On August 29, Sumy State University welcomed James Howard Yellin – a retired American diplomat who served as U.S. Ambassador to Burundi in 2002–2005 and is now an independent filmmaker and humanitarian.

The American director is currently working on two documentary projects about Ukraine:

• Learning from Ukraine: Ukrainian Urban Planning and Architectural Heritage in the Wake of the Russian Invasion – focused on preserving architectural heritage and the impact of war on the urban environment;
• When the Cannons are Heard, the Muses are not Silent – dedicated to classical Ukrainian music during wartime.

This was Mr. Yellin’s second visit to SumDU. During his first trip, he filmed materials for a documentary about the destruction of university buildings and the city’s cultural heritage following the April 13, 2025 tragedy.

The film can be viewed via this link. 

The documentary also features research conducted by a SumDU team as part of the project “Scientific Foundations of the Virtual Reconstruction of Destroyed Cultural Heritage Objects for the Recovery Strategy in Ukraine” (Research Project No. 0125U000440, Contract No. 51.24.01-25/27.ZP-01) supervised by I. V. Pavlenko). This research was carried out after the April 13, 2025 missile strike on the center of Sumy, which damaged several architectural monuments on Petropavlivska Street. Using advanced 3D scanning and photogrammetry technologies, SumDU researchers documented the destruction as part of a virtual reconstruction initiative of the city’s cultural heritage sites.

In the film, Dr. Alla Krasulia, Head of the International Relations Office of SumDU, emphasized:

“I am convinced that preserving Ukrainian cultural heritage in the face of Russian aggression is both a matter of national honor and our responsibility to future generations. It embodies our culture, testifies to our history, and reflects our language and identity. Building No. 2, which is more than 100 years old, became the target of a missile strike and was severely damaged. Yet, even under these circumstances, we are working to restore and preserve its memory. The university is implementing projects to create 3D models of buildings and historical landmarks of Sumy, applying modern technologies to digitize cultural heritage. This is not only a way to protect historical sites but also a path to preserving our history and culture in a virtual dimension that will outlive any destruction.”

During this visit, the diplomat and filmmaker toured Buildings No. 2 and No. 3, where restoration is underway, as well as the Main Building and Building “N,” both damaged in the latest missile attack on the night of August 18. Mr. Yellin also met with Prof. Ivan Kozii, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs.

James Howard Yellin’s visits to SumDU are of great importance for raising international awareness about the challenges of preserving Ukraine’s cultural and architectural heritage during wartime and for helping to convey the truth to the global community.