Abstract: The invention relates to a graphite electrode with an electrical connecting element as well as to a furnace for graphitizing carbon-containing materials by means of such graphite electrodes. According to the invention, it was found that the drawbacks known from the prior art are eliminated by establishing an electrical connection between the graphite electrode and the connecting element by means of wedge-shaped contacting elements. The contact pressure between the contact element and the wedge-shaped surface on the graphite electrode required for electrical conductivity of the interface can be influenced by means of the wedge angle and the contact surface.