"I’d like to wish all the finalists in the LUKAS Awards the very best of luck. No one deserves recognition more than those, whether originating from Latin America or not, who have dedicated years of creativity and hard work to diffusing our wonderful arts and cultures, our perspectives and energy to British society. The LUKAS Awards are a great way to celebrate this collective effort and I am looking forward to the ceremony, which will no doubt become a permanent attraction in the annual London diary. The opportunity to celebrate Latin American achievement in the UK resonates for me personally. I will always be grateful for the acceptance and encouragement I received from the people of London, the world’s greatest city for multiculturalism and art, which helped me grow as an artist."

Carlos Acosta, Principal Dancer of the Royal Ballet

"London is a richer metropolis as a result of the cultural, social and economic contributions of Latinos here and the LUKAS Awards are a great platform to celebrate the contribution of Britain’s Latin American Spanish and Portugues communities. I would encourage everyone to vote for their favourite acts.”

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London