Mr Swinney was speaking at the Edinburgh International Festival’s headquarters days after Jewish performers claimed their Fringe shows had been cancelled by venues who cited safety concerns raised by staff.
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The First Minister, who praised the “glorious diversity” of Scotland in his speech at The Hub venue, stressed the importance of performers having the ability to “challenge us, to ask us tough questions, and to force us to look at things from different perspectives.”
He added: “Culture that helps us to understand ourselves, to understand each other and to understand the world around about us.”
Mr Swinney, who said he wanted to ensure Scotland was a country of “robust debate and inquiry,” later launched a new defence of Edinburgh-based investment firm Baillie Gifford, one of the key corporate backers of both the EIF and the Fringe.
Pro-Palestine campaigners have called for the both events to sever their links with the firm, which is said to have more than £60m worth of investments in a defence giant which has worked with state-owned arms companies in Israel.
In his speech, Mr Swinney admitted global conflict was “redrawing the world order”, and said years of economic stagnation and austerity in the UK had left people disillusioned and alienated, and expression concern at how new technology had left people “much more exposed to disinformation and harmful material.”
He added: “I want to ensure that Scotland’s culture sector continues to bring people together for many generations to come.
“I know that, just like the government, this sector has faced significant and prolonged financial pressures.
“You’ve been squeezed by rising costs, by new restrictions on the freedom of movement in Europe, by job losses during the pandemic and too many other challenges to mention.
I know also that freedom of expression is under greater and greater attack, both at home and around the world.
“I want to ensure that Scotland – the birthplace of the enlightenment – remains a country of robust debate and inquiry.
“I firmly believe that art and culture must be able to challenge us, to ask us tough questions, and to force us to look at things from different perspectives.
“And yes, it must at times be allowed to shock and to offend us. It can also heal us.
So let me be absolutely clear – as First Minister I will always protect freedom of speech in our country.
“It is not the First Minister’s job to tell you what to create – nor would I ever seek to do so.”
Mr Swinney was later asked about controversy over the cancellation of Fringe shows by Jewish performers Rachel Creeger and Philip Simon, and the renewed calls for Baillie Gifford to be dropped by festivals.
He said: “What I make a pitch for is an atmosphere of tolerance and respect for other people’s opinions. If we all have respect for each other’s opinions then we will be able to enable everyone to express their opinions.
“I believe in freedom of speech and that we should be tolerant of others.
“I feel our society is healthier where we have an expression of views respectively and courteously, so all of us are able to do so on all subjects, but particularly on the issues of the greatest sensitivity.
“I want there to be freedom of expression and I want people to be able to air their views.
“Some of the ability to do that and the creation of opportunities to do so comes through the sponsorship that is offered by organisations like Baillie Gifford.
“My view hasn’t changed from what I said before. I think Baillie Gifford has an important contribution to make as one organisation to the offer of philanthropic support for the arts.”
