The travel writer Christina Tree once told me she likes to think of Bath as a city of fine buildings, many of which were constructed only to sail away to ports around the globe.

One hundred fifty years ago, Bath was familiar internationally, as thousands of Bath-built ships carried cargo and passengers from the New World and returned home bringing foreign goods and influences.

During March, Bath will host two events that celebrate our history as an international city.

On March 1-3, the Tsugaru City Sister City Exchange Program will hold a Japanese Celebration Weekend, in honor of the historic relationship between Bath and the citizens of Shariki Village.

This tie, loosely maintained for over a century, began when sailors from the Bath-built Chesborough were rescued by Shariki villagers after their ship was wrecked in an 1889 tsunami.

Over the past 20 years, this connection has flourished through an annual exchange program between Bath and what is now know as Tsugaru City. For the March event, distinguished artists and Japan experts will share their knowledge of Japanese culture with residents of the Bath area.

All events are open to the public; most are free, or pay-whatyou wish.

Activities begin Friday night at Patten Free Library, where the acclaimed documentary “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” will be screened at 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 2, features a series of activities for children, families and adults. Beginning at 10:15 in Patten Free Library, the children’s librarian will read “Wabi Sabi,” the story of a cat who lives in Kyoto, Japan, for children ages 4 and older.

At 10:30, children 7 years and older will learn about Japanese poetry.

A workshop on Ikebana, the sculptural Japanese art of flower and plant arranging, is being offered at the Hampton Inn at noon. Reserve a space by calling 844-0510.

From 1 to 3 p.m., at Bath Middle School, children and grownups at the Family Arts Festival can try writing their name in Japanese script, miniature Sumo wrestling, origami paperfolding, giant Jenga, martial arts and much more.

A special feature is a display of Japanese emperor wedding dolls, traditional for March 3, Girls’ Day in Japan.

Traditional Japanese fare prepared by local chefs and restaurants will be featured at a dinner, starting at 5:30, also at Bath Middle School.

The dinner is followed at 7 by an evening of entertainment featuring the Bowdoin College Taiko drumming group, Japanese Kyudo archery demonstration, and a Japanese kimono fashion show.

On Saturday and Sunday, swimmers at Bath YMCA can add their laps to help span the 10, 200 kilometers from Bath to Tsugaru. Between Japanese and American swimmers, almost half the distance has been achieved to date.

On Sunday, Patten Free Library will host a series of talks on Japanese culture.

At noon, Arthur Davis will speak on the art, history and practice of raising bonsai.

At 1 p.m., Lee Schneller Sligh, a Master Gardener, will share slides of her work, as well as photographs from her recent trip to Japan.

Traditional green tea ceremonies will be offered by Sachiko Clough at 1 and 2 p.m. Those interested in the ceremony should call 443-5141 to reserve a space.

At 2 p.m., artist Kathy Goddu will display and discuss two historic textile crafts, Shibori and Sashiko, dyeing and stitching. And at 3 p.m., musician Hiroko Fogarty will give a concert on the traditional Japanese threestringed instrument called the shamisen.

Then, just one week later, March 10-17, Bath Blarney Days will embrace all things Irish with traditional, cultural and tongue-in-cheek events.

Bath Blarney Days activities begin with a lecture on the history of Irish domestic servants at Sagadahoc Preservation’s Winter Street Center, Sunday March 10 at 3 p.m., and Irish Seisun and Trivia nights on Monday and Tuesday at Byrnes’ Irish Pub.

On Friday, the poet Helene McGlaughlin will host a “More than Blarney” evening of traditional Irish poetry and music, and a slide show of Irish castles and landscapes, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Bath City Hall, followed by a family dance with live music featuring Irish jigs and reels on flute and fiddle at Bath Dance Works.

In the more irreverent Irish- American spirit, at 8 p.m. on Friday, there will also be an “Ugly Green” contest at Mae’s Café to benefit Fields for Our Future.

On Saturday, the day begins with a Shamrock Sprint 5K run at 9 a.m. At 11 a.m., the St. Patrick’s Day parade will feature the Maine Safety Pipe and Drum Corps. At 1 p.m., there will a “Tug ‘O War” at Bath City Hall, and the day will end with live music at downtown Bath pubs and a “Blarney Ball” at the Winter Street Center at 8 p.m.

On Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day, pubs will open all day with Irish-themed specials, and an Irish soda bread baking contest will take place at 1:30 p.m. at Now You’re Cooking. Entries should be dropped off that day between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The public is invited to help the judges in selecting the “popular choice.”

The weekend will be capped off with the drawing of a winner from Bath’s “Pot ‘O Gold Passport Challenge.”

Although participants will travel through downtown Bath rather than globally to have their passports stamped, it seems a fitting end to these March events that will bring an international flavor to the tail end of our New England winter.

JENNIFER GEIGER is executive director of Main Street Bath.