A Book That Resonates: Critical Praise and Award Nominations for West Midlands HO!

Aldona Grupas’ book West Midlands HO! has been published in London by Hertfordshire Press, the only UK-based publishing house dedicated to releasing English-language books by authors from the Eurasian region.

The book has already attracted professional attention and thoughtful feedback. In her review, Karolina Zhukauskaitė, Administrative Officer at the UK Ministry of Justice, highlights the powerful portrayal of Lithuanian migrants who rebuilt their lives in Britain after the Second World War. She notes that the stories serve as a reminder of the importance of remembering one’s roots, valuing identity, and appreciating the opportunities created through the resilience of earlier generations.

West Midlands HO! was also nominated for the Hertfordshire Press Award and the Page Turner Award, further confirming its growing international recognition. Through literary awards and festival platforms, the book continues to reach global audiences, strengthening the presence of Eurasian voices in contemporary English-language publishing.

West Midlands HO!

From Nursing Home Nurse to Parliament

 

I came to the UK as many do – quietly, with responsibility on my shoulders and little time to dream.
I worked as a nurse in a nursing home. Caring, listening, holding hands.
Life was practical, sometimes heavy, but deeply human.
Art lived inside me, but for a long time it had no space to breathe.
Slowly, through writing, painting, psychology, and community work, I began to rebuild myself.
Not in a loud way – but honestly, step by step.
From helping one person to supporting artists.
From private healing to public cultural work.
I founded Albion Art Club to give voice to artists, writers, and communities who often remain unseen.
Exhibitions followed. Books were born. Conversations crossed borders.
Baltic artists found a place in the UK cultural landscape.
And one day, I stood in the UK Parliament – not as a politician, but as a cultural organiser, writer, and curator.
Bringing art, stories, and human connection into one of the most historic spaces in the country.
This journey was never about status.
It was about service, courage, and transformation.
From nursing home corridors to parliamentary halls the heart of the work remained the same: to care, to connect, and to create meaning through culture.